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VAN GOGH TRIAL: DAY TWO
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
VAN GOGH TRIAL: DAY TWO
The prosecution has just delivered its closing arguments and demanded a life sentence for Bouyeri. Let’s just summarize what the defendant is actually accused of: (1) The premeditated murder of Theo van Gogh – with the aggravating condition that he proceeded to kill Van Gogh after the latter pleaded for his life; (2) The attempted murder of a number of policemen - after the killing a serious firefight erupted between Bouyeri and a number of cops who had rushed to the scene; (3) the attempted murder of a number of bystanders; (4) Obstructing he work of a member of parliament - this refers to the threats uttered to Ayaan Hirsi Ali in the letter Bouyeri pinned on Van Gogh's body with a knife after he had killed him. Apparently there’s a 19th century statute on the books that makes this a pretty serious crime. Well, the prosecutor considers that all four points have been proven and that in addition to a life sentence Bouyeri should lose his right to vote. In a statement to the court Bouyeri explained he would do exactly the same thing if he was ever paroled, and addressed Van Gogh's mother directly: He argued that he did not killl her son, "but I have chopped off his head according to the law that orders me to do so to everyone who offends Allah. I do not not feel your pain as I do not know what it is to suffer the loss of a child"As I said, alive and chilling. The panel of three judges will sentence in two weeks. Note that it was a particularly short trial as Bouyeri waived all his rights to a defense. More analysis later. NOTE: The correct quote from Bouyeri was: He argued that he did not killl her son out of hate, "but I have chopped off his head according to the law that orders me to do so to everyone who offends Allah. I do not not feel your pain as I do not know what it is to suffer the loss of a child" I omitted the "out of hate" part in my hurry to translate it earlier this morning. I don't think it affects the message, it actually highlights the sheer cold-bloodedness of the murder. Just wanted to set that straight. 
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