Key players in Amsterdam murder of crime reporter convicted on appeal; Up to 27.5 years

The Amsterdam Court of Appeals issued verdicts against nine suspects accused of killing or assisting in the murder of crime reporter Peter R. de Vries, overturning several decisions by a lower court, while still affirming guilty verdicts and hefty sentences against the key players in the case. The Appeals Court found the alleged gunman, Delano G., and getaway driver Kamil E. guilty, sentencing them to 27.5 years in prison. Krystian M. was again convicted of taking on the job of assassinating the journalist, and masterminding the scheme, and was ordered to serve 26 years and one month in prison.

De Vries was shot on 6 July 2021 on Lange Leidsedwarsstraat in the center of Amsterdam after appearing on the television program RTL Boulevard. He succumbed to his injuries in the hospital nine days later. Nine suspects stood trial for playing a role in De Vries’s assassination. During the appeal case, prosecutors called the crime reporter’s murder “a horrific and cowardly act, committed with astonishing cold-bloodedness.”

It has been repeatedly alleged that De Vries was murdered because he acted as a confidant of the key witness in the Marengo trial against criminal kingpin Ridouan Taghi and his gang. Key witness Nabil B.’s brother and lawyer were previously assassinated. Taghi was sentenced to life in prison last year in the Marengo case, which revolved around several assassinations, but not De Vries’s.

The Public Prosecution Service (OM) sought life sentences against Delano G. and Kamil E., the two men who allegedly committed the murder, and Krystian M., who is suspected of orchestrating the attack. "Krystian M. accepted the murder order from an as-yet unknown client. Witness statements indicate he had worked for the client before, and had previously carried out violent crimes," the Appeals Court said. Last year, a lower court sentenced G. and E. to 28 years in prison, and M. to 26 years.

Konrad W. was again convicted of complicity in the murder, but his sentence was cut by four years on appeal to a 10-year sentence. The OM had also recommended 17 years in prison against Konrad W., who was initially supposed to commit the murder, but pulled out at the last minute.

"However, he supplied the weapons to the perpetrators, knowing they would be used for the murder. The Court of Appeal therefore convicted him of complicity, as did the District Court," the court wrote in a statement on Thursday.

But the court overturned convictions of complicity in the murder against Gerower M.C.. 29, and Erickson O., 31. They had been found guilty by the District Court of Amsterdam, and were sentenced to 10 years behind bars. On appeal, they were found guilty of participation in an organized crime outfit, and ordered to spend 5 years in prison.

The two suspects allegedly tracked and monitored De Vries, filmed the crime reporter after the shooting, and spread the footage on social media with a goal of turning footage of an unconscious, bleeding victim into viral clips online. The OM had recommended prison sentences of 17 years against them.

"There is no evidence that they acted as lookouts for the perpetrators," the Court of Appeal said. "Wiretapped conversations show that Erickson O. and Gerower M.C were involved in various violent crimes and were directed by Divainy K. He arranged weapons, transportation and accommodations for O. and M.C."

K.had been acquitted by the lower court, but he was found guilty on appeal and sentenced to four years in prison. That matched the new demand by prosecutors in the case.

Prosecutors had also demanded a 14-year sentence against Ludgardo S., 36, accusing him of trying to gather intelligence by tracking De Vries, and pursuing information about him online. He was again acquitted of complicity in the murder, and was found guilty of drugs possession. The court affirmed his 4-week jail sentence.

"Ludgardo S. and Christopher W. are acquitted, because participation in a criminal organization has not been proven," the court wrote. The OM had demanded three years for W., saying he exchanged messages with those involved in recording video of the assassination attempt. While prosecutors claimed he was supposed to play a role in the De Vries murder, W. was arrested and jailed two months before the crime, preventing him from taking on a direct role.