A "bestial" relationship of 25 years between brothers Willem and Wim V. led to Willem killing his brother Wim with a knife wound in Kerkrade in February. For this, Willem must serve six years in prison.

The court in Maastricht ruled that on Tuesday.

Brothers Wim (49) and Willem (56) got into a fight in a caravan on the Sportstraat in Kerkrade in the early morning of Feb. 9. The argument escalated and Wim threatened to spank his brother. "Shut up or I'll hit you," he said, according to the brothers' mother, who was present in the caravan.

Blood

"Come on, I'll stab you," was Willem's response, who moments later put his money where his mouth was. "I won't let you hit me anymore," were Willem's words before he plunged a meat cleaver into the chest close to his brother's heart. According to the brothers' mother, who was present in the trailer, blood spurted from his chest.

After a 911 call, Wim was taken to the hospital and Willem was arrested. At the hospital, where it was found that he had been hit in the heart, Wim died of his injuries. Willem stated after his arrest that he was tired of being abused by his brother. The knife, which was found at the scene, was found to be broken into two pieces.

With strength

Therefore, the court finds that William forcefully stabbed his brother in the chest. Because he announced his act a short time in advance, the court finds that "he knowingly attempted to kill the victim.

The relationship between the defendant and the victim can be described as problematic. The mother described the contact between the brothers as "bestial. Willem stated that his brother had been abusing and threatening him for 25 years. Four weeks before the stabbing incident, this happened in a café, where Willem was injured.

'Helplessness'

V. was sentenced to eight years in prison two weeks ago. The court arrived at a two-year lower sentence because "the role of the victim at the time of the fatal stabbing incident" must be taken into account. According to the psychologist who examined him, Willem was a victim of structural violence. The psychologist observed in Willem a "learned helplessness, precisely because he anxiously wants to avoid violence directed against him."

According to the court, this is evident from the assault in the café four weeks before the stabbing incident. The court reviewed camera footage of that incident and found that Wim abused Willem and that he endured this aggression idly.

Damages

In addition to the six years in prison, William must also pay compensation to three of his brother's children. These amounts range from 17,500 to 20,000 euros. Both Willem V. and the prosecution can still appeal the verdict.