A murder trial took a shocking turn when the 72-year-old defendant, moments after prosecutors requested a life sentence, suddenly slashed his own neck in court.
At the conclusion of a three-day trial, the public prosecutor's office sought a life sentence for a man accused of committing homicide in November 2022.
When given the opportunity to speak in court, the 72-year-old defendant suddenly took a sharp object and cut his own neck. He was quickly restrained by police and brought to a nearby hospital by ambulance.
Prison officials have in the meantime announced that the defendant has been discharged from the hospital and is now back in detention. An investigation into how he was able to get a sharp object into the court room in the first place has been launched.
According to judiciary spokesperson Henri Eipers, defendants are not subjected to a security control before entering the court room, as police search them before the prison transfer.
Background on the case
The man stands accused of fatally stabbing his 29-year-old son in an early morning attack in November 2022.
According to reports, the victim had been on his way to work when the accused violently attacked him with a knife. Despite medical intervention, the victim succumbed to his injuries the following day.
The court is set to deliver its verdict on 3 April.
