The Hague

Thijs H. struggled with severe psychosis
There is no room for sentencing Thijs H. after he killed three people in a psychosis in May 2019. ''In a case such as this, where the intense suffering of the bereaved families collides with the insanity of a severely psychiatrically ill defendant, an outcome felt by all to be just may be impossible.'' With this passage from the verdict of the case known as the Cinema Murders (even though that case involved manslaughter), Thijs' lawyers started the plea on Feb. 17, 2022. The prosecution formulated sentence demands of 30 years in prison and tbs on Feb. 16, 2022. Criminal lawyer Job Knoester compared the demand to advising a man who has had a heart attack to first run a marathon before going to surgery.

Behaviors Thijs resulted entirely from psychosis
The prosecution argued that a disorder was suspected, but did not know what disorder to refer to. The prosecution chose to follow a report by a psychiatrist and psychologist that did not actually come to any clear conclusions. Even more so; they concluded that they could not give an opinion. The defense criticized this very report and took a lot of time to filch it. Criminal attorneys Serge Weening, Bo te Baerts and Job Knoester argued that Thijs' behavior during the offenses was completely directed by a severe psychosis, stemming from schizophrenia. In doing so, they pointed to four experts. An extensive report from the Pieter Baan Center and yet another psychologist and psychiatrist.

No motive other than psychosis
The lawyers argued that there is no other explanation for the life crimes than psychosis. Thijs is not a psychopath, did not know the victims and no other motive appeared conceivable.

Medication that fueled psychoses
In an hour-long plea, the lawyers dwelt on many elements and medical documents from the time prior to the offenses in which they see support for the existence of serious psychological problems in Thijs. Criminal lawyer Weening, among others, emphasized that Thijs, moreover, was prescribed dexamphetamine during treatment at the GGZ prior to the offenses, while that is dangerous for people who are prone to psychosis. This drug can actually trigger psychoses. Dexamphetamine was prescribed to Thijs to treat ADHD. A condition which, the experts concluded, had been incorrectly diagnosed by Mondriaan mental health institution. Thijs did not and does not have ADHD.

Parents of Thijs asked in vain for help
Attorney Te Baerts, citing facts in the file, told the court that before things went terribly wrong, Thijs' mother made many attempts to get help for her son. Thijs' parents saw that their child was not doing well. In particular, they feared that he might attempt suicide again. Thijs did the same in November 2018. Te Baerts raised the question of whether the two Brunssummer Heath victims would still have lived if Thijs' mother had been heard. She herself gave the answer: we will never know. Knoester saw in the file a mother who had to pull out all the stops to make sure her child would be mentally fit to survive the criminal trial literally and figuratively.

Not murder, but manslaughter
Criminal lawyer Weening argued that the extent of Thijs' psychological problems was such that there was no premeditation. He asked the court to acquit Thijs of murder, but to arrive at manslaughter.

Excerpt
The court will rule on March 17, 2022.

Sources:
The Telegraph
The Algemeen Dagblad
The Limburger; and
1Limburg.