The sisters of Peter Langenberg had hoped that the suspect would provide more clarity today about what really happened on that fatal Easter Sunday in the dunes near Egmond, but that did not happen. “However, it was not our expectation,” their lawyer said. “We had prepared them for this. Nevertheless, they wish that he will have to undergo long-term treatment because of his violent behavior.”
Peter Langenberg was found dead and undressed in the dunes north of Egmond aan Zee on April 17, 2022. Research shows that Peter had sex there and DNA material on his body, including semen, leads to Jent S. He was on trial today in the Alkmaar court.
According to the Public Prosecution Service (OM), Peter posted a message on Bullchat, a gay dating platform, on Sunday in which he seemed to hope for a sex appointment in the dunes. There he found Jent S. who was under the influence of alcohol and coke.
Multiple facial fractures
But S. denies that he had an appointment with him. Something the Public Prosecution Service and Peter’s relatives do not believe. However, his own scenario, that he was there with a girl and happened to stumble upon Peter, is not supported by evidence. “And nothing has been found of a certain Mia,” the Public Prosecution Service states, and that seems to be a made-up story.
S. had previously confessed to being responsible for the gruesome injuries from which Peter died. He did that again today. The Public Prosecution Service says: “The victim had… multiple fractures in his face; his eye sockets, cheekbones, jaw, palate and nasal bone. He also had swelling in his brain and there are indications of strangulation.”
“I only gave two blows, but maybe they were a little harder than I remember,” S. said in court. But for most of the judge’s questions, he invokes his right to remain silent or says, “Let’s leave it at that.”
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“This suspect is very clear about what he does and does not want to talk about, he has always been that way,” analyzes victim lawyer Wendy van Egmond, who represents both Peter’s sisters. “I also think that he cannot understand what exactly happened and preceded it.”
Right to speak
Both sisters also used their right to speak today. “Never laugh and cry together again. Never call or text again. Never say ‘hey sister’ again. Never again forever, and the law cannot change that,” says sister Anja.
Her younger sister Paula called Jent S. a wolf in sheep’s clothing: “You attacked Peter brutally. When you breathe your last, you will have to answer for your actions. That gives me a little hope.”
Van Egmond: “The great thing about both sisters is that they can keep an overview of this case. Of course they are very angry and sad about what happened to their brother. But they also see that there are many difficult sides to this man; that he struggles with things. But they don’t thank him for not wanting to explain openly and honestly,”
According to the Public Prosecution Service, this makes the processing of this loss unnecessarily extra difficult for the surviving relatives, and they blame him for this.
“With alcohol and drugs he becomes a narcissist; worse than Julius Caesar and Adolf Hitler combined”
Previously, Peter’s loved ones indicated that the amount of the penalty is not the most important thing. There is a great wish that the Public Prosecution Service will get its way in its demand for TBS. “To protect society against him,” the Public Prosecution Service said.
Because under the influence of alcohol and coke he becomes a different person. Jent S. himself calls it ‘less pleasant’. His own father was much more emphatic about his alcohol and drug abuse: “He becomes a narcissist and is then worse than Julius Caesar and Adolf Hitler combined.”
“Typical words from a worried father,” S. responds today. In the meantime, S. did not want to participate in a personality test at the Pieter Baan Center. No disorder has been identified. Yet the Public Prosecution Service advocates a TBS measure.
“The file also shows evidence of previous violent incidents. Throughout the timeline I see a pattern of aggression in combination with the use of alcohol and/or drugs,” the Public Prosecution Service said. An ex-girlfriend also does not dare to testify for fear of reprisals.
Long-term treatment
“Without a disorder, it is more difficult to actually impose that TBS measure, but not impossible,” Van Egmond explains. “But it is also possible that he will receive a prison sentence and then a behavior-influencing measure; also some kind of treatment. Either way, as far as the surviving relatives are concerned, there must be some form of long-term treatment before this man can re-enter society.”
Jent S.’s lawyer did not expect that TBS would be demanded. “Although judges have the freedom to make their own assessment, they are not psychiatrists.” Her client confesses to manslaughter and agrees to an appropriate prison sentence, without TBS.
The Public Prosecution Service therefore demanded 10 years and TBS. If the court does not agree, due to the absence of a disorder, the Public Prosecution Service will argue for a prison sentence of 15 years. The judge will make a ruling on November 21.
Gay meeting place?
Police previously described the location of Peter Langenberg’s body as a ‘meeting place for men’. Residents of Egmond aan Zee were surprised about that; they do not know such a place near their village.
The Public Prosecution Service emphatically does not mention that location today as a gay meeting place. “It concerns a tolerated nudist beach north of Egmond, where people regularly meet in the dunes.”