Father, son sentenced to prison for manslaughter

A father and son were sentenced to 15 and 8 years in prison respectively for the death of a 54-year-old man in Emmeloord on December 12th, 2014 on appeal by the court in Leeuwarden on Wednesday. The court acquitted them of murder, but convicted them of manslaughter. According to the court, premeditation could not be proven in this case. The victim's body was discovered in his bedroom on December 12th, 2014 by firefighters after they extinguished a house fire. Investigation showed that the man was severely assaulted before the fire. The two suspects were visiting the victim on the day he died and got into an argument with him. The 24-year-old son confessed to smashing the man's skull with a hammer before his 51-year-old father broke his neck. Then the son set the bedroom on fire. The 24-year-old was also found guilty of arson, threats and vandalism. In addition to the prison sentences, both men also have to undergo compulsory, institutionalized psychiatric treatment. When this case were first tried, the man and his son were convicted of murder and sentenced to 14 and 10 years in prison respectively, with institutionalized psychiatric care. Both men appealed. The Public Prosecutor demanded 16 and 10 years in prison and psychiatric care.