Local News
Court of Appeal upholds 12-year sentence for fatal Dutch Quarter stabbing
The Court of Appeal upheld the 12-year prison sentence imposed on J.J.M.J.H. for manslaughter in the fatal stabbing of E.M.R. in Dutch Quarter on February 6, 2025.
By SXM Daily ยท
Reported 21 October 2026
The Court of Appeal upheld the 12-year prison sentence imposed on J.J.M.J.H. for manslaughter in connection with the fatal stabbing of E.M.R. in Dutch Quarter on February 6, 2025, the Public Prosecutor's Office (OM) said in a release dated October 21, 2026.
The appeal
The Court of First Instance convicted J.J.M.J.H. of manslaughter on December 18, 2025, and sentenced him to 12 years, with time in pre-trial detention deducted. On appeal, the defence sought an acquittal, while the Prosecutor General asked for the sentence to be increased to 14 years. According to the OM, the Court of Appeal rejected both requests.
The defence had argued that his DNA on a backpack and knife did not prove he carried out the stabbing, and that another person had used his knife. The OM said the Court heard two witnesses at the defence's request, found that the claim about DNA from an unidentified third person was based on a misreading of the forensic report, and upheld the conviction.
Sources
- Public Prosecutor's Office (OM) release, October 21, 2026: https://www.openbaarministerie.org/court-of-appeal-upholds-12-year-sentence-for-fatal-dutch-quarter-stabbing