Fouad L. appeals against life sentence

Fouad L., the man who was sentenced to life imprisonment last month for the murder of teacher Jurgen Damen at Erasmus MC, his neighbour and her daughter, is appealing against his conviction.

This was reported by L.’s lawyer and confirmed by the Public Prosecution Service, according to AD. L.’s lawyer told the newspaper: “The offences committed are extremely serious in terms of their nature and impact. That is beyond question. But my client also suffers from severe psychological problems that played a role in the crimes he has been charged with. In such a case, the only appropriate verdict besides a prison sentence is treatment.”

Criminal responsibility

The Public Prosecution Service had demanded a 30-year prison sentence and TBS (compulsory psychiatric treatment), as it argued that L. had diminished or significantly diminished criminal responsibility. However, the Rotterdam court did not agree and sentenced the former medical student to life imprisonment. “You remained in control and were aware of the horrific consequences”, the court stated in its ruling.

Blow to the bereaved

A spokesperson for Namens de Familie, the organisation representing the family of the neighbour and her daughter, told AD that the appeal comes as a blow to the bereaved.

The lawyer explained the reasoning behind the appeal: “A life sentence in this case means throwing away the key in a case involving someone suffering from severe psychological problems.” Experts who examined Fouad L. diagnosed him with an autism spectrum disorder.