What happened in a house on Korte Langstraat in Leiden last year is not entirely clear. It is established that a 38-year-old Leiden resident was fatally shot by the 24-year-old suspect. He claims self-defense, but the Public Prosecution Service does not believe his story. The trial took place today.
On June 6 last year, the suspect came to the victims house for a batch of hashish. Police investigation shows it involved 9 kilos. Presumably, a quarrel arose in the house, during which the victim was shot through his legs from left to right. He bled to death within minutes. The suspect could only be arrested weeks later. He had fled to Spain.
After remaining silent for a long time, the suspect eventually gave a statement. According to him, a quarrel started immediately upon entering the house, during which the victim attacked him. He had to defend himself, ultimately shooting the victim. The suspect claimed it was self-defense.
Not plausible
The Public Prosecution Service cannot accept the suspects statement. There are counter-indications for the scenario the suspect describes. To begin with, the fact that he took both the drugs and the firearm with him while claiming to have left the house in complete panic, and the firearm was also lost sight of in an unexplained manner. It was never found. The suspect fled to Spain and waited a long time to give his statement after being arrested.
The victims injuries also do not match the events as described by the suspect. He claims to have shot the victim from about 70 centimeters away when the victim was running at him. However, investigations show the shot was fired from about 2.5 centimeters, and the bullet trajectory does not match either. The suspect also had hardly any injuries, while he stated the victim had used a lot of violence against him, including grabbing his throat twice.
There are more matters in the file that do not fit the self-defense scenario. According to the Public Prosecution Service, the suspect is guilty of manslaughter and is criminally liable for it.
Concerning
The ease with which weapons are used in these kinds of drug-related situations is very concerning, said the public prosecutors at the hearing today. But it is the reality. Furthermore, the message must be crystal clear that carrying firearms and shooting to settle disputes is unacceptable.
The Public Prosecution Service demands an 11-year prison sentence against the suspect. The court will give its verdict in three weeks.
