Martien S. (62) completely denies that he stabbed Janus Houbraken (86) to death with a prong on August 29 in the outskirts of Bergeijk. This became apparent on Monday during the first preparatory hearing in the case in the court in Den Bosch. Houbraken was found dead that summer evening and hours later Martien S. was arrested.
Martien S., who also lives in Bergeijk, was not present in court on Monday. He had sent his lawyer to make some investigative requests. There were many relatives of Janus Houbraken, who lived in Lommel himself, but was visiting his son that fateful day.
Not much became clear during the short hearing. Martien denies that he was at the farm on the Maaij in Bergeijk that evening. He was arrested later that evening at his farm on the Hofmanheideweg in Bergeijk, a little further away. Officers did not find him at home, but thermal images showed that he was hiding some distance away. Cursing and ranting, Martien S. was arrested and taken away.
During the hearing it turned out that Martien’s DNA was found on Janus’ body, on wrists, hands and fingers. That is why Martien S. remains stuck in his cell in the PI in Grave. A psychiatrist and a psychologist will soon present their findings about Martien S.’s mental state.
According to it Eindhovens Dagblad the pitchfork used to stab him was found on Martien S.’s farm. The newspaper also writes that the man had been in conflict for years about granted permits, which are said to have expired. He is said to have had psychological problems and to have caused so much trouble at the municipality and even threatened the mayor that he received prison sentences and area bans for it.
The next preliminary hearing in this case is on February 23.
Here you can read all the stories from Omroep Brabant about crime and criminality.
