The prosecutor described the evening of December 20, 2023, as an explosion of violence. The lifeless body of a 39-year-old man from Latvia was found the next day in a park in Leidschendam. Today, a 35-year-old man without a fixed residence is on trial in The Hague, suspected of manslaughter. The prosecution demands an 18-year prison sentence.
Early morning on December 21, 2023, the victim was found by a bystander in a park near a mental health facility in Leidschendam. It was determined that the victim was killed by a crime. A Major Investigation Team was immediately launched. It quickly became clear that the victim had been staying in an abandoned building on the mental health grounds, just a stones throw from the crime scene. Police seized CCTV footage showing the victim walking around the grounds on the evening of December 20.
He was reportedly walking around drunk with an unknown man. Soon it was clear that this was a 35-year-old man without a fixed residence. He was arrested on December 25, Christmas Day, in Arnhem.
DNA Evidence
The prosecution claims there is clear evidence of a violent incident between the suspect and the victim. DNA from the victim was found on the suspects clothing. Additionally, the suspect sent messages after the crime indicating he killed the victim. His phone was also found at the crime scene.
Police discovered a metal rod with traces of the victim in a nearby ditch. The suspect also spoke about this when he received visitors in prison, claiming he fought with him and that there were fingerprints and that he hit him with an iron rod. According to the prosecution, this constitutes perpetrator information.
It was an explosion of violence. He then left the body in the cold. The next day, he fled. Messages indicate that the suspect feels no remorse. His only fear is losing his job, said the prosecutor.
Aggravating Circumstances
As an aggravating factor, it is noted that the suspect was previously convicted of a life offense in Latvia in 2008, for which he received a 6.5-year prison sentence.
The prosecution believes the suspect had (conditional) intent to kill the victim by hitting him in the head, kicking him, and hitting him with an iron rod. Therefore, manslaughter can be proven. The prosecution demands 18 years in prison in this case. The court will rule in two weeks.