Julien C., who stabbed 8-year-old Jesse Dingemans to death in Hoogerheide in 2006, has been treated enough. But he still has to put his knowledge into practice, with small steps. Freedom still seems far away. Experts advise extending his TBS for another two years. C. himself calls it ‘hopeless’ and asks for more speed. He feels lonely.
The violent death of Jesse (8) in his own school class is one of the most controversial murder cases of the past 25 years in our country, mainly because a motive was missing.
Feral
“How are you doing?”, the judge in Breda asked the perpetrator on Thursday afternoon. “Good, given the circumstances,” said a calm Julien C. With glasses and short hair. Very different from the young man with a personality disorder years ago. Then he was withdrawn and unreachable.
Julien C. is 38 years old now. He has served his prison sentence of almost twelve years. He has been treated for years for his disorders, such as autism. Those disorders are still there. But the clinic helps him deal with that.
Lonely
A few years ago, C. had a relapse, as it became clear at the interim TBS hearing. He retreated a little more often. But that’s behind him. “Frustrations and irritations are becoming less and less,” Julien C. told the judges.
Loneliness is a problem, said the expert from the Gelderland clinic where he now lives. “He has a limited social network, actually only his father. The important thing now is: how do you build a social network?”
The clinic wants to continue with C. “Structure and guidance are badly needed. The highest achievable is assisted living, in the long term. But even then with control, supervision and guidance,” said the expert. She is a treatment coordinator.
Overestimation
C. is taking steps in the right direction, according to the public prosecutor. “Sir is on an upward trend. It is no longer necessary for him to be treated. It’s about him putting it into practice now.”
“The only point is: he has a very good will, but it doesn’t always work out. He overestimates himself. Sometimes things go a bit fast. He needs the clinic for that. He has to slow down a bit. But that’s where the frustration comes in. Mr. C,” explained the officer.
pace
Julien C. wants to contribute to a return to society. “I agree with the route. We still have to discuss the pace.” He himself would prefer that in a year’s time it will be reviewed whether he can be given more freedoms. But all advice points to the maximum two years and that is also what the public prosecutor asks.
C. has been following a work-study program for a year now. He works three days a week with computers, in ICT. His employer is positive and sees a motivated employee.
In the meantime, there are requests to give C. more freedom in the form of unaccompanied leave. For shopping, sports and leisure. “With small steps”, the expert adds. She also emphasizes that C. is motivated. “He never wants to end up in the situation of the crime again. And he doesn’t want to use (drink and drugs) anymore.”
The court will decide on the TBS extension in two weeks.
READ ALSO: Julien C., who murdered Jesse Dingemans, remains in the clinic, but is given more freedom