Man gets 12 years for Raaijmakers killing

11 November 2004

AMSTERDAM — An appeals court has affirmed a 12-year sentence imposed on a man for killing Bart Raaijmakers last year in a robbery-murder that shocked public opinion.

The court in Den Bosch also ordered that Ben-Ammi G. undergo compulsory psychiatric treatment in a secure hospital after he has served his custodial sentence.

The prosecution had asked he be sentenced to 18 years, without any compulsory hospitalisation.

The appeals court jailed three others for nine, six and five years respectively.

Earlier this year, the trial court sentenced the four defendants to 12, nine, eight and seven years respectively for the killing.

The robbery which got out of hand caused an outcry in Tilburg last year. Two of the attackers were Antilleans and this led to calls to crack down harder on “ethnic crime”.

The incident took place on 18 July 2003 as Raaijmakers, his brother and a friend were cycling towards Tilburg. The four defendants — who were under the influence of drugs — stopped them and demanded money.

A fight ensued and the victim’s brother and friend managed to escape. Raaijmakers appeared to be getting the better of his opponent, but suddenly a knife was produced and he was stabbed in the back four times.

The trial court decided that the prosecution had not proved the group intended to murder the victim.

Subject: Dutch news