Background: A Shocking Night in Deventer
On 23 September 1999, the quiet city of Deventer was shaken by the murder of Jacqueline Wittenberg, a widow found lifeless in her home. Days after her death, suspicion fell on her tax advisor, Ernest Louwes. Telephone records revealed he was the last person to contact her, but Louwes insisted he had been outside Deventer at the time. Despite his denial, an odour test on a knife, presumed to be the murder weapon, led to his conviction in December 2000. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Flawed Evidence and a Reopened Case
In 2003, the case took a dramatic turn. The knife, central to Louwes’ conviction, was proven not to be the murder weapon. As a result, the Dutch Supreme Court ordered a review, and Louwes was released temporarily. However, new DNA evidence found on Wittenberg’s blouse pointed to him again. In February 2004, he was reconvicted and returned to prison.
The blouse’s role in the case became a major point of contention. Questions arose about its chain of custody. Two detectives involved in the case admitted they were unsure of its whereabouts after the murder, casting doubt on the integrity of the evidence.
Alternate Suspects and Investigative Errors
In 2006, opinion pollster Maurice de Hond and legal psychologist Peter van Koppen highlighted serious investigative errors. They pointed fingers at Michaël de Jong, Wittenberg’s handyman, and his girlfriend, suggesting their roles in the case warranted further scrutiny. Witnesses reported suspicious behaviour by De Jong, including one who claimed to see him holding a knife near Wittenberg’s grave.
The grave was exhumed later that year, but only a small piece of metal was found. Meanwhile, the British Forensic Science Service reviewed the DNA evidence, but their findings did little to exonerate Louwes. In 2007, the Dutch Supreme Court upheld his conviction once again.
The Aftermath: Doubts and Defamation
In 2009, Louwes completed his prison sentence after serving eight years. Yet, public debate about his guilt persisted. Maurice de Hond, who championed Louwes’ innocence, faced legal consequences for defamation. De Jong and his girlfriend successfully sued him, securing €45,000 in damages after initially being awarded €120,000.
In 2011, philosopher Ton Derksen reignited the controversy with a book defending Louwes. Derksen, known for his role in overturning the conviction of nurse Lucia de Berk, argued the evidence against Louwes was fundamentally flawed.
Legacy of the Deventer Murder Case
The Deventer murder case remains one of the most debated legal sagas in Dutch history. It highlights issues of evidence reliability, investigative integrity, and the fallibility of the justice system. More than two decades later, the question lingers: was justice truly served, or did an innocent man pay the price for systemic errors?
