MAASTRICHT - Counsel Peer Szmkowiak of Stephan P., prime suspect in the manslaughter of Fer Loontjens (47) from Geleen, suffers from tunnel vision. His conclusion that P. (32) cannot have inflicted the fatal injury in any case is based on quicksand. A remarkable position taken by public prosecutor Rogier yesterday before the court in Maastricht. Usually it is precisely the public prosecutor who is accused of tunnel vision. The prosecutor was responding to the plea of Szymkowiak, who asked the court to acquit his client of co-perpetrating manslaughter for lack of evidence. The prosecution demanded 10 years against him. "It has not been proven who inflicted the fatal injury; I do not even exclude that a combination of acts of violence led to the victim's death," the prosecutor said.Szymkowiak, who could not be present himself, let it be known through his confrere Serge Weening that he has a markedly different opinion of the evidence. "The prosecutor states: if there is no evidence, it can still be there. She fantasizes."

Fer Loontjens was assaulted in a Geleen café on Carnival Sunday to such an extent that he died of the consequences thirteen days later. "I did not want this," P. observed in his last words. "I do not forget that whatever I say, the suffering among the relatives cannot be verazht. I know I will be punished for this and I take my responsibility. I hope the Dutch government will do the same toward the Moluccan people."

The only other of the seven defendants who exercised his right to the last word was Gennaro S. (33). Ten years were also demanded against him because the prosecution sees him as the instigator of the brawl that took Loontjens' life. "I didn't touch him. I don't want to be punished for things I didn't do." For one suspect, prosecutors have asked for acquittal; eight years have been demanded against two others for complicity in manslaughter, their lawyers argue there is no evidence for that. Yet two others, according to the prosecution, should receive two years for open violence, but since these two did not apply violence themselves, they should be acquitted, according to their lawyers.

The defendant(s) in this case are assisted by: