Netherlands: Sentences Handed Down in Peter R. de Vries Murder Trial

We have previously reported about the shooting death of noted Dutch crime reporter Peter R. De Vries in 2021. This week, a Dutch court handed down sentences to several defendants convicted for their involvement in the murder. The heaviest sentences were 28 years. 

Since the murder, much suspicion has been focused on the Moroccan Mafia (Mocro Maffia) and boss Ridouan Taghi (currently in prison serving a lifer senetence). None of the convicted defendants received life imprisonment, which many find disconcerting.

The below article from Dagelijkse Standaard is translated by Fousesquawk.

 https://www.dagelijksestandaard.nl/media/bizar-moordenaars-van-misdaadverslaggever-peter-r-de-vries-ontlopen-levenslange-gevangenisstraf

Bizarre! The murderers of crime reporter Peter R. de Vries avoid life imprisonment

 June 12, 2024 at 20:00

Almost three years after the shocking murder of crime reporter Peter R. de Vries, the court in Amsterdam has announced the sentences for the nine (persons) involved. The trial has led to sentences varying from 4 weeks to 28 years imprisonment: No life sentences!

The highest sentences were given to the shooter, Delano G., the driver of the getaway car, Kamil E., and the (middleman) of the murder, Krystian  M. Delano G. and Kamil E. both received 28 years imprisonment, while Krystian M. was sentenced to 26 years and one month. The difference in sentence for Krystian M. was because he had already served 47 months in imprisonment for another case. The court wanted to ensure that the total sentence for M. would come out to 30 years. 

The judge emphasized that the main suspects showed an “unprecedented ruthlessness and lack of conscience” and that they showed no respect for human life. The murder of Peter R. deVries, according to the court, caused a wave of shock in society”. 

In addition to the three main suspects, four others were sentenced for their role in the murder. Erickson O. and Gerower M., who surveilled the location of the murder in advance and filmed De Vries while he was lying on the street seriously wounded, each got 10 years imprisonment. Konrad W., responsible for arranging the weapons, was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment. Lugardo S., originally charged with complicity in the murder, was acquitted of the charge but got 4 weeks imprisonment for drug dealing. 

Divainy K. and Christopher W. were both acquitted. The court found their participation in a criminal organization, of which they were accused, was not proven. Their acquittal was based on the lack of sufficient evidence for their involvement in the murder.

Though the Public Prosecutor (OM) demanded life imprisonment for the main suspects, the court rejected this. The court emphasized that life imprisonment in the Netherlands really means life imprisonment, and that it must be handled with extreme care. Because the main suspects have not been previously convicted of murder and that (this case) involved only one murder, the court found that life imprisonment was not appropriate.