Another witness has been heard in the Marum swimming pool murder case. This man has made exculpatory statements in the cases of Monique H. from Hollandscheveld and her mother Coby from Roden. This says lawyer Wilco ten Havem, who assists Monique as a lawyer.
The man was in prison at the same time as the ‘star witness’ Willem P.. According to this new witness, P. was out to get his prison sentence shortened. P. was sentenced to twenty years in prison ten years ago for his role in the murder of Jan Elzinga in Marum. Elzinga was shot dead in front of the entrance to the swimming pool by Pascal E., who was sentenced to fifteen years in prison for this.
Due to new statements from P., Elzinga’s girlfriend at the time, Monique H., her mother and brother were arrested nine years after the murder. The court in Groningen sentenced the in-laws in December to 20 years in prison for provoking the murder in 2012. Johan L. from Kampen is said to have supplied the weapon and was sentenced to seven years in prison.
According to the witness who was recently heard by the police, the motive for the murder must be sought in the hemp world, says Ten Have. In this case, Monique and her mother would have had nothing to do with the murder, says the counsel. Monique did not attend the court hearing in Leeuwarden on Monday. She spoke to the higher judges via a video link.
The Public Prosecution Service wants to investigate this new statement for reliability. Despite the request of the defense, the suspects are not allowed to wait at home for the rest of their trial. They stay stuck. The substantive hearing of the case is scheduled for next spring.
Willem P. must answer to the court in October for committing perjury, of which the man is accused.