A Dutch man in The Netherlands was assassinated in his garage 15 years ago. Using advanced DNA technology, authorities finally nabbed the killer.
A Breda judge sentenced Johan S. to life in prison for the shooting death of Robert Sengers after the defendant was convicted of murder. On Sep.8, 2004, authorities responded to a home in Esbeek, Brabant, after Sengers was shot several times in the garage.
Witnesses identified a man fleeing the scene on a scooter, but investigators could not identify the suspect. Later, they found the scooter with traces of gunshot residue and DNA on the handles of the vehicle.
At the time, there was no arrest despite the DNA evidence and testimony of his ex-girlfriend, whom S. gleefully told about a murder that took place with someone on a scooter in the same vicinity of the murder scene. As a result, the case became cold.
In addition, Sengers was a known criminal entity in the drug trade to authorities.
"It may seem like this is less serious, but Robert Sengers was also a human being. It may be true that he was active in the criminal drug environment, but that in no way justifies this murder," stated the court, reported NL Times.
However, in 2019, the Dutch Forensic Institute, using advanced DNA technology, identified the defendant as the killer and reopened the case. At the same time, S. was already convicted and serving an 18-year sentence for the murder of another ecstasy manufacturer, Mohamed Yaacoubi, in 2002.
The defense team argued the evidence produced by the prosecutors was not suitable. Hence, the case should be dismissed.
The judge disagreed!
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