Bali prosecutors likely to seek 15 years’ jail for Sara Connor

Byron Bay mother-of-two Sara Connor has told her lawyers she is innocent and doesn’t deserve to face murder charges.

Byron Bay mother-of-two Sara Connor has told her lawyers she is innocent and doesn’t deserve to face murder charges on the eve of a trial in which Bali prosecutors are expected to push for the maximum 15-year jail penalty for the alleged manslaughter of a local policeman.

Ms Connor’s Bali lawyers and Australian barrister Peter Strain, a family friend, spent several hours with her at Kerobokan prison yesterday along with a Byron Bay friend who brought pizza for the 45-year-old businesswoman.

Connor and her 34-year-old British DJ boyfriend David Taylor will face separate trials today, in which prosecutors are expected to argue that the couple are guilty of manslaughter over the death in August of Bali policeman Wayan Sudarsa.

Bali lawyer Erwin Siregar told The Australian: “Sara maintains that she is innocent. She doesn’t think she deserves to be tried for manslaughter or assault leading to death. For us, the case is no more than an accessory to a crime and that is a petty offence. Even if she is found guilty, the sentence should be no more than nine or 10 months.”

Mr Siregar said Ms Connor was “stressed about tomorrow” but it would not delay the hearing.

Mr Taylor has admitted to bashing Sudarsa with a beer bottle and binoculars after accusing him of stealing Ms Connor’s handbag.

He has not admitted to killing the Bali traffic policeman. Ms Connor has told police she had no involvement in the fight and tried to separate the men before leaving the scene to report her stolen bag at the local police station.

Ms Connor’s lawyers have said Mr Taylor will be star witness at her trial in the hope his testimony can clear her. His lawyer, Haposan Sihombing, said Mr Taylor was “fine and ready to face the trial”.