On Wednesday 28 year old M.K.J. was led before the judge of instruction. The judge considered both the arrest and the prolongation of the custody as lawful. Custody will now last until October 3rd 2012, when a new decision on pre-trial detention will have to be taken.
The suspect refrained from giving any statement to the judge and the police pertaining the case.
After the first 10 days of custody, the prosecution will have to decide whether it will ask the judge for the suspect’s pre-trial detention. This phase could last a maximum of another 106 days. Yet a judge will have to decide on prolongation several times during that period of time. Only by the end of the pre-trial detention the prosecution will have to decide whether it will charge the suspect or release him, pending further investigation.
Police have conducted a door-to-door investigation at the Ocean Club Resort where they questioned possible witnesses on Wednesday. Next to that over the past few days an extensive amount of video footage from surveillance cameras was secured which will be studied.
Police and prosecution have been in contact with the FBI who offered assistance in the investigation. This offer was kindly accepted and both Police and prosecution are now discussing with FBI where the help could be most effective. It is likely that some investigation will have to be conducted in the USA. This will be formally asked for.
The first information reached the Police through the police information lines. This information will be investigated.
In case of relevant information: please call 9300 (on Sint Maarten) or when abroad: call +1-721-542 0345