A man (30) from Groningen who systematically blackmailed his neighbor and eventually stabbed and robbed him, has been demanded 3 years in prison and TBS. The suspect refused any form of assistance from a lawyer. “I’m innocent, I can do this myself.”
On his own, he will face the three judges and the public prosecutor on Thursday. The man thinks it’s all nonsense that he’s stuck. He does not need the help of a lawyer. “I have no interest in that. I prefer to do it myself.” Wilko ten Have, the lawyer appointed by the court, listens from the public gallery, without a gown.
The man denies having anything to do with the charges. Multiple extortions from his neighbor last year between May and August? ,,I don’t know anything about that.” That he eventually stabbed him four times with a knife and then ran off with his neighbor’s wallet? “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Wouldn’t know who that man is.”
‘They must be jealous of me’
And that the victim’s debit card was found in his coat and that the suspect was recognized on camera footage while he was shopping with that card? “Crazy stories.” People must have made things up about him, the man insists. It would mean that both the victim and a number of witnesses and several officers are making things up. ,,Pretty crazy, isn’t it?” a judge asks him. The suspect replies: “They must be jealous of me.”
So little could be said about the facts, but judging by the personal circumstances there is little to be jealous of.
Addicted parents, bad friends, drug use
The born German has a heavily burdened past. His parents were both drug addicts. After father closed the door behind him, mother collapsed and the suspect had to take care of his sister at a young age. Add to that bad friends and a lot of drug use and you soon come to the first contacts with the law.
If the Groningen man has to be examined by order of the court in the Pieter Baan Center (PBC), he will remain in bed for almost his entire stay. So how he is doing is guesswork. But the signals are alarming. In the summer of last year, several local residents saw him walking down the street in a winter coat on scorching hot days. He talks to himself, makes funny noises and blows pot incessantly.
‘Danger to others’
The experts at the PBC are certain: there are very complex problems at play, such as schizophrenia. But without in-depth research, they do not come up with advice for treatment. Ask the man himself and there is not much going on, but the public prosecutor does not stop there. “This man is a danger to others if left untreated. He was last convicted of assault in 2021. We also see it in the structure of these crimes. First it concerns threats for small amounts of money. In the end, attempted manslaughter for a wallet.”
He demands 3 years in prison and TBS with compulsory treatment. It does not seem to bother the suspect until the presiding judge explains it to him again. The suspect jumps out of his chair and wants to leave. An escape from reality. When the judge asks him whether he does not want lawyer Ten Have to argue against the story of the Public Prosecution Service, he turns around. It’s allowed.
‘Tbs really should be the last station’
The lawyer believes that the injury does not have to be attempted manslaughter. And the man can also be treated forcibly with a care authorisation. “Tbs with duress, that really should be the last station.”
The court will rule on June 8.