E. told the Leeuwarden court this morning: “I have waited two years for this, but I do need assistance from my lawyer.” It is not yet clear when the appeal will take place, but it will probably not be possible to plan a new hearing day before the holiday, the court says.
Marcel Hoogerbrugge’s sister is disappointed that the case has been postponed. “It’s a deception. This case has been dragging on for almost six years now.” She says that the case always plays in the background in her mind. Her 86-year-old father and 80-year-old mother are also sad about the delay.
E. was sentenced to 9.5 years in prison in 2021 for involvement in Hoogerbrugge’s death. Both the Public Prosecution Service (OM), which had demanded 18 years, and E. indicated that they would appeal after this ruling.
The ex-military Hoogerbrugge was found on December 20, 2017 by his parents in his home in Hoogeveen. The then 49-year-old man was lying on the bed with a smashed skull. An investigation revealed that he had been hit on the head at least three times.
E. fled from Sudan to the Netherlands in the 1990s and was one of the few who visited Hoogerbrugge. She moved to Luton, England, in 2011, but regularly crossed the Channel to visit Hoogevener.
E.’s fingerprints were found on glasses in the dishwasher. The same glasses also contained remains of medicines, such as tranquilizers, antidepressants and antipsychotics, which were also found in Hoogerbrugge’s body. This medication was enough to put someone in a coma.
The Public Prosecution Service demanded 18 years in prison for murder, but the court found premeditated manslaughter and assault proven and came to 9.5 years in prison. According to the court, there was not enough evidence that the woman drugged Hoogerbrugge with the aim of killing him.
The judge assumes that she was disturbed while searching the house for money and valuables. Hoogerbrugge had hidden a safe under a cupboard containing 6,000 euros and gold coins. The woman may have known about this, but did not know where the safe was located.