Justice demands 30 years in prison and a TBS measure against triple murderer Thijs H. (30). According to the plaintiffs, the Court in Den Bosch cannot avoid a prison sentence.
Thijs and his lawyers are committed to a TBS measure without prison sentence, because he was psychotic and therefore completely mentally insane during the murders.
Also read: Thijs H. case full of emotion: ‘Goddamn you serve your sentence’
Two reports
Experts from the Pieter Baan Center and later also the Netherlands Institute for Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology (NIFP) also consider Thijs to be completely insane. In their eyes, Thijs was completely beside himself and that is not a prison sentence. These experts only recommended imposing a TBS measure.
No symptoms
However, a third report, also drawn up by the NIFP, questioned Thijs’ psychosis. If he had already had a psychosis, he would have even caused it in part by drug and incorrect medication use. “We consider this report to be leading in the question of whether there was a disorder and its consequences.”
The prosecutors point not only to this latest report, but also to other experts who saw Thijs prior to the murders. For example, he was being treated at the Mondriaan mental health institution. No psychotic symptoms were seen there. “It seems to be certain that something is going on, but he is not more than less accountable.”
Also read: Pieter Baan Center repeats: ‘Thijs H. had psychosis’
Knowingly and willingly
“He had moments of reflection before, during and after the murders,” said one of the officers. She also states that Thijs ‘acted knowingly’ and therefore premeditated. The prosecutors call the way the murders were committed “a lack of respect for other people’s lives and bodies”. “We seriously blame him for that.”
No Lifetime
The two prosecutors outlined their considerations on Tuesday: life without a TBS measure or a very long prison sentence with TBS. “But if he returns to society without treatment, he could be life-threatening. We must ensure the safety of society. A life sentence was just, but too great a risk.”
If the Court does not want to impose a TBS, the prosecutors still ask Thijs to impose a life sentence.
Appeal
In the first instance, at the court in Maastricht, the Brunssumer was sentenced to eighteen years in prison and a TBS order. Thijs appealed against that sentence. That appeal was almost completed after Tuesday. On Thursday, lawyers Job Knoester and Serge Weening will speak on behalf of Thijs. The Court will make a decision at an unknown date.