Suspect reiterates denial in 1995 rape, murder; Lawyer: Consensual sex possible

Nearly 20 years to the day after Nicole van den Hurk went missing, the lawyer for 48-year-old Jos de G., suspected in the teen's rape and murder, maintained his innocence in court on Monday. De G. was arrested in 2014 after his DNA matched trace evidence found on the victim. Van den Hurk was last seen leaving a relative's house by bicycle on October 6, 1995. A massive investigation began when she did not show up for work that day. Eventually, she was found dead in the woods between Mierlo and Lierop, Noord-Brabant, on November 22. De G. said he did not encounter the teen during that period, and said that it is possible he had consensual sex with her in the days leading up to the murder. However, he said he no longer remembers if that happened. His attorney, Job Knoester, said it is entirely plausible, saying that the teen frequented many of the same places as De G. The officer for the court prosecuting the case denied the claim that it was a realistic scenario, and told the court the defense still has no credible, alternative theory as to the discovery of DNA evidence. Knoester will demand a full acquittal at trial, he said. This was the eighth pre-trial court hearing.