The Schiedam-based Let Ainars S. was sentenced to 12 years in prison without parole on Friday morning. The man is held responsible for the death of his 37-year-old compatriot Juris Ernestsons. Two co-defendants played a much smaller role during the violence at a party of migrant workers in De Lier, according to the prosecutor.
Latvian-born prime suspect Ainars appeared at the birthday party over a business building when it had been going on for some time. He was not welcome, according to witnesses, but announced by phone that he was coming anyway to collect a debt from another occupant. The amount involved was reportedly 30 euros, which was then allegedly transferred to him by phone.
about:blankhttps://acdn.adnxs.com/dmp/async_usersync.html
Ainars came anyway. At the party, he left the debtor alone. However, he did get involved in an argument about noise pollution in the building where several migrant workers live. Resident Juris Ernestsons complained from his room about the noise. This led to a skirmish in the kitchen, in which, by the way, according to witnesses, not Ainars A., but the two co-defendants Janis and Ligonis, who live in Delft, were involved.
Beaten with luggage carrier
Ainars S. went with him when the two men went to the victim's bedroom a little later in the evening. According to the prosecutor, there is overwhelming evidence that Ainars S. twice assaulted the victim's buggered off in his bedroomr. The other men allegedly merely watched. On the second occasion, Ainars allegedly struck the victim with an old bike rack.
The prosecutor acknowledged that witness statements must be critically examined. Many of those present at the party were under the influence of alcohol. However, she does place great value on the statement of the victim's roommate, who witnessed the violence in his bed. Furthermore, dna traces were found on the suspect's ring and shoes. "It is reprehensible that the suspect returned to the bedroom after the first assault. He did not come to his senses, but took a new decision to assault. This time with a hard object."
Rattle
According to attorney J.E. Kotter, his client is entitled to acquittal, due to the lack of legal and convincing evidence. Especially the witness statements are shaky, he argues. For example, the co-defendants initially stated that they had not seen anything. They were only witnesses at the time. Only when they were heard as co-defendants months later did they point out Ainars as the perpetrator. "They matched the statements. And they also had an interest in doing so, of course."
The victim's roommate also did not state unequivocally, according to the lawyer. ,,Initially he stated that because of the darkness he was unable to see anything. Later that changed. The witnesses contradict themselves, contradict each other and state contrary to the objectively established facts."
The prosecutor demanded 188 days against the two co-defendants, for assault and pressuring witnesses. If the judge adopts this demand, they will remain at large. They have already served this time on remand.
https://www.ad.nl/westland/om-eist-twaalf-jaar-cel-voor-fatale-mishandeling-met-bagagedrager-hij-kwam-niet-tot-bezinning~a3c1d710/?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fcrm.basenet.nl%2F&cb=f63decc6-c5fa-41c0-9e42-f00558033e79&auth_rd=1
