GELEEN/MAASTRICHT - The witnesses to the fatal beating of Fer Loontjens (47) have done society a service by giving statements despite their fear.
That is what prosecutor Anneke Rogier said yesterday in the court in Maastricht, where the seven suspects of the assault (on Carnival Sunday in the Geleen café 't Vlaegelke) are on trial. The prosecutor demanded prison sentences of up to ten years.

"Without these witnesses, prosecution would not have been possible. They have been disproportionately burdened because they had to make statements over and over again." Many witnesses have said they were afraid of the group to which the suspects belong and some have been threatened, Rogier said. "Nevertheless, they testified. They deserve praise because they found courage and strength to do so."

The prosecutor considers proven for four of the suspects that they committed "manslaughter in union. Against the main suspects Stephan P. (32) - who acknowledges that he struck with a crutch, but says he did not hit the victim with it - and Gennaro S. (32) - who allegedly struck the first blow, which he denies - she demanded 10 years in prison each.

Rick D. (22), who admits to punching and kicking several times, and Barry H. (26), who denies any involvement, each heard demands for eight years. The agitated H. halfway through the indictment in his case preferred staying in the court's cell complex to staying in the courtroom. Paul S. (22) and Anthony P. (26), from whom it cannot be proven that they themselves applied violence, but who also did not distance themselves from it, according to the prosecution, Rogier demanded two years for open violence. Douglas C. (42) cannot be held responsible for the violent actions of the group: for him the prosecutor asked for acquittal.

The altercation on Carnival Sunday arose from a futility at the slots. Loontjens was taken outside, but returned to seek redress. An explosion of violence erupted, from the consequences of which Loontjens died thirteen days later. Although it is not clear who dealt the fatal blow or kick, what is certain is that "this interplay led to the death of Fer Loontjens," Rogier concludes.

Today the seven lawyers have the floor.