Thijs H.'s lawyer, Serge Weening, reacts Wednesday during the last day of the trial to the prosecution's sentence. That demanded Tuesday 24 years and tbs with compulsory treatment for the murder of three random hikers last May.
According to the prosecution, although H. had mental disorders, he knew in part what he was doing and was not completely insane when he committed the "heinous murders," as the experts at the Pieter Baan Center assessed. The prosecution also includes in the sentencing the defendant's trial attitude, his lies, varying statements and altered statements. According to the prosecution, H., in consultation with his lawyer and parents, was primarily interested in being declared insanity to avoid a long prison sentence. The prosecution places great question marks over the long-term psychotic dysregulation noted by the PBC, which was not seen by any of Thijs H.'s other practitioners in the year before the murders. Prosecutors spoke of a "mangled report" that relies heavily on the statements H. and his loved ones made. Moreover, H. himself contributed to the onset or worsening of psychosis through frequent use of cannabis, prosecutors said.
Parents and attorney also got a big swipe from the prosecution. The parents covered up tracks and very closely directed and coordinated statements. Lawyer Weening would - against the professional code - have shared information with the parents while H. was still in all restrictions and was not allowed to have contact with anyone except his lawyer, according to a tapped telephone conversation. The press officer could not say Tuesday whether the public prosecutor wants to hold Weening disciplinary liable for this.
Weening will first respond to the allegations in the prosecution's indictment on Wednesday morning. After his plea there will be time for reply and rejoinder (OM's response to plea and attorney's response to it). The last word will be for Thijs H.
