NOSOlivier of the G. during an earlier hearing
In association with
Broadcasting West
NOS News•today, 4:49 PM•Adjusted today, 5:01 PM
The appeal in the case of Esmee (14), who was killed in 2021, will no longer proceed. The convict, Olivier van de G., previously appealed but withdrew it for fear of a higher sentence. This became apparent during a hearing today.
The body of 14-year-old Esmee was found in a park in Leiden on New Year’s Day in 2021. Shortly afterwards it turned out that the then 32-year-old man, the girl’s gymnastics teacher, had killed her in his apartment. He was ultimately sentenced to 12 years in prison and TBS with compulsory treatment.
Shortly after the verdict he appealed. Van de G. wanted a shorter prison sentence so that he could start his treatment sooner. The appeal was started, but this afternoon it became clear that the man wanted to withdraw the appeal in December last year. Since the case was already ongoing, it could not simply be stopped. Today the court considered whether the case should continue.
The court ultimately ruled that the case would not be continued, because Van de G. was the only one who had appealed. The Public Prosecution Service did not do that.
Statement read
The victim’s relatives wanted substantive treatment. Esmee’s father wanted to at least read a victim statement. That was no longer allowed today. “They had prepared so much for this hearing and it is now being taken away from them,” the Public Prosecution Service said.
According to Broadcasting West Van de G. did receive and read Esmee’s father’s statement through his lawyer. “The father is very happy with that,” said lawyer Robert van der Laan.
2024-02-14 15:49:11
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