Fouad L. says he might not have appealed if allowed to give his account

Fouad L. told a court of appeal he might not have challenged his life sentence if he had been allowed to explain his account at his original trial. The 35-year-old is appealing against his conviction and sentence for three killings in Rotterdam; prosecutors have also appealed, seeking compulsory psychiatric treatment alongside a lengthy prison term.

Speaking at the start of the appeal hearing on Thursday, L. said he had wanted to explain what had happened at his university course and how events had escalated. The presiding judge said he would have the opportunity to do so during the appeal, according to ANP.

L. was sentenced to life in prison in February last year for shooting dead his 14-year-old neighbour Romy, her 39-year-old mother Marlous and 43-year-old medical lecturer Jurgen Damen in Rotterdam on 28 September 2023. He also set fire to his home and to Erasmus MC, the hospital where Damen worked.

The defence appealed against the life sentence. The Public Prosecution Service is seeking a long prison term combined with compulsory treatment in a secure psychiatric facility. At the original trial, prosecutors sought 30 years in prison and compulsory treatment.