Attorney Knoops steps in

August 24, 2011 7:46 AM

KRALENDIJK/WILLEMSTAD — Attorney at law Geert-Jan Knoops is prepared to assist the convicted Bonaireans Nozai Thomas and Andy Melaan in their attempt to revise the verdict.

 Both were sentenced for their role in the double murder of the Martis brothers in 2005, the ‘Spelonk-case’.

Lucio Ricardo, a psychologist who stills believes in Melaan’s innocence, reported that Knoops was prepared to assist. Knoops was not available for comment. Melaan said he would go on a hunger strike this week. He is now in the prison on Curaçao but wishes to be transferred to Bonaire where his family can visit him every week. The management of the prison could not confirm whether Melaan already started his hunger strike. For their part, they refer to Minister Elmer Wilsoe for comment, but the latter was not available for comment either.

In an earlier reaction, Wilsoe stated that all Bonairean prisoners would be held in the prison of Bonaire or the Netherlands in the future. If a prisoner requests a transfer, his/her lawyer is to approach the judge, says the Minister. At the time, Melaan was sentenced to 24 years imprisonment. Although he had lodged an appeal with a higher court and with the court of cassation, the verdict was confirmed every time. He has always plead not guilty. Thomas was sentenced to eight years imprisonment.

Having engrossed himself into the case, psychologist concluded a possible judicial error. Following a written report by Ricardo, Justice decided to set up a committee in 2009, consisting of Ronald P. Koeijers, lawyer and former judge, professor criminal law Jan M. Reijntjes and Leo A.I.M. de Wit, former field officer of Justice in Amsterdam to study the verdict of Melaan and Thomas.
On November 13th 2009, they produced their report, concluding there was no question of a new fact in the sense of article 453, part 1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, nor were reasons present to doubt the accuracy of the convictions pronounced against Andy Melaan and Nozai Thomas. There is no reason for revision or pardon.

However, according to Ricardo and partners, there are sufficient reasons to re-examine the case.

(Source: Natiponal Newspaper Amigoe)

15 August 2011