Thijs H., who was sentenced on appeal to 22 years in prison and TBS with compulsory treatment, will appeal to the Supreme Court. H. decided this on Thursday afternoon in consultation with his lawyers Serge Weening and Job Knoester.
The Brunssumer stabbed three people to death in May 2019 in The Hague and on the Brunssummerheide.
Also read: Court sentences Thijs H. to 22 years in prison with TBS measure
‘Court slipped’
The lawyers visited H. in the penitentiary psychiatric center of the prison in Vught. There they decided together to challenge the decision of the court with the Supreme Court.
The lawyers say they have several leads. “We have heard a number of cases of which we think: the court has slipped here”, Knoester responded to the ruling. “The verdict is a disappointment. What I completely miss is the explanation of the court for the choice to deviate from the advice of experts. In the future, suspects can decide not to cooperate with expert reports, if judges deviate from the advice. in the reports.”
Impaired Accountability
The court considers H. less responsible for the three murders that H. committed, while the defense had bet on complete insanity. Knoester: “They have said that they assume that there is a disorder. They did not name which one. They then say that the disorder has only partly influenced the behavior of the suspect. While the experts who could say something about it, believe that it has completely influenced his behavior. The court deviates from that.”
Relatives
Lawyer Sébas Diekstra represented the relatives of two victims during the criminal proceedings. Diekstra: “Clients still have to let the judgment of the Court of Appeal take effect. But their first reactions show that they can live well with the prison sentence imposed, especially due to the clear motivation of the Court of Appeal. My clients are very grateful to the Public Prosecution Service and the police for all their tireless efforts, their help and their support.”