Man sentenced to 13 years for fatal stabbing, remains free due to terminal illness
A 44-year-old man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of 39-year-old Jasper from De Meern. The killing took place in the hallway of a home on Kanaalstraat in Utrecht. Despite the sentence, the man will not return to custody because he is terminally ill and receiving life-prolonging treatment. The Public Prosecution Service also sought a 13-year sentence. Prosecutors, however, wanted him returned to prison to serve it.
The ruling was issued by the court in Rechtbank Midden-Nederland. The court found that the defendant, Yassir el F., intentionally killed the victim. It rejected his claim that he acted in self-defense.
The murder occurred on July 19 last year at about 8:10 p.m. Police officers were driving through Kanaalstraat when they saw a heavily bleeding man crossing the street. He was holding his hand to his neck. One officer stopped to help him, while the other one followed a trail of blood to a nearby home. El F., who lived in the same Kanaalstraat home where the stabbing occurred, immediately confessed to the stabbing.
Investigators said the two men had a long-running business dispute. El F. had carried out work for Jasper’s company. Jasper allegedly withheld part of his payment. He said the work was not properly done and that damage was caused.
The dispute escalated over time. Both men exchanged threats. The confrontation became fatal when Jasper went to El F.’s home.
El F. told the court he acted in self-defense. He said he was cooking when Jasper arrived. He also said he opened the door holding two knives because he had been in the kitchen.
The court in Midden-Nederland rejected that explanation. It said El F. knew an angry man was at the door and still went to open it holding two knives. The court concluded he sought confrontation and did not act in self-defense.
El F. has not been in custody since the beginning of this year. The court ruled he will remain free due to his terminal illness and ongoing treatment.
