Dutch woman maybe imprisoned for murder she didn't commit: reasonable doubt group

Monique B. may have spent the past 8 years in prison for a murder she did not commit, according to reasonable doubt group Gerede Twijfel. No other suspects were ever seriously looked at, the researchers said to Omroep West.

Monique B. was sentenced on appeal to 16 years in prison for the murder of her former employer 78-year-old Maria Schermer. The woman was found dead in the hallway of her home in The Hague in March 2009. She had been stabbed 51 times and the house had been ransacked. 

Former housekeeper Monique B. was immediately considered a suspect - she was previously suspected of stealing from the elderly woman and her DNA was found on ransacked items. The court assumed that the victim caught B. in the act and B. stabbed her. 

Researchers from Gerede Twijfel now studied B.'s file. They believe that the judiciary never gave any alternative scenarios due consideration. Wallets, key rings and money boxes were never tested for trace evidence. And on one of the victim's jackets there were not only DNA traces of Monique B., but also of at least two men. These traces were never examined.

The Public Prosecutor is examining Gerede Twijfel's conclusions, a spokesperson said to Omroep West. The spokesperson added that the evidence gives no clues for the scenario Gerede Twijfel is now presenting. "It is also contrary to the statements made by the convict herself", the Prosecutor said. But B. is free to request a review based on this research.

Monique B. always denied having anything to do with the elderly woman's death.