The 21st of May is etched in the memory of many dozens of people. Mustapha S. stabbed random victims at various places in De Pijp on that Friday evening. Four were seriously injured, but are still alive. The 64-year-old Roy Titawanno was not so lucky. He died near his home after the attack of Mustapha S.
‘I am disgusted’
Relatives, family and the victims themselves saw an atypical suspect enter the court from the detention center. Six months ago, Mustapha S.’s lawyer spoke on his behalf at the first hearing: “It pains me that I have hurt people. I can’t even look at myself in the mirror since I heard it, I’m disgusted.”
It was also known that he suffered from voices in his head. They were not in the least favorable to him. But whoever thought that a heavily confused man was walking into the court, had to blink twice.
Medicines
Sleek haircut, with modern glasses on the nose and a hip blue jacket, the 30-year-old Amstelveen suspect addressed the judge in fluent Dutch. He no longer suffers from the nasty voices in his head, he said, nor from psychoses. He now takes his medicines daily and that helps him well.
It was a bitter encounter for some of the victims. Tears flowed quietly. Through the lawyers it became clear that many of them crave the answer to that one pressing question: ‘Why?’ Mustapha S. did not answer at the short interim meeting.
Mustapha S. stabbed random victims at various places in De Pijp on Friday evening 21 May.
ⓒ Michel van Bergen
no memories
And whether that will happen during the substantive session of February 3, 2022, remains to be seen. Mustapha S. confirmed what he had already said through his lawyer, that he can’t remember anything about his outburst of violence. Based on the file, he has made an attempt to fill in something from that horror evening, but he has to come to the conclusion that his memory is failing him.
It does not relieve him of the obligation to be there on 3 February. The judges recognize the importance of the victims, many of whom make use of their right to issue a victim statement. The judge against Mustapha S.: “You will be there, aren’t you?” The suspect nodded in agreement.