Overview
- At the Breda hearing, the Openbaar Ministerie said DNA matching the defendant was found under Hennie de Laat’s fingernails, which experts deem consistent with a struggle.
- Investigators set the time of the killing between about 8:20 p.m. and 8:50 p.m., and the prosecution says the defendant lacks a watertight alibi for that window.
- The case also cites post‑incident behavior, including clubbing that night, searches for emergency reports on a friend’s phone, a trip to a cruising spot, a large knife in his car, and shifting statements.
- Prosecutors are pursuing manslaughter rather than premeditated murder and said lengthy delays in the case were considered when setting the 12‑year demand.
- Werner de R. denies any involvement, the alleged dispute over a small cocaine debt remains unproven as a motive, and the victim’s daughter addressed the court in an emotional statement.