The Dutchman suspected in the disappearance of Alabama teen Natalee Holloway is scheduled to go on trial today in Peru for the murder of a young woman he met at a casino in Lima. Joran Van der Sloot faces murder charges in the killing of Stephany Flores in his motel room.The 21-year-old Flores died exactly five years after Holloway disappeared in Aruba.
Prosecutors are seeking a 30-year prison sentence for Van der Sloot because he killed Flores with "ferocity and great cruelty" and he stole money from her.
UPDATE: On Jan. 11, 2012, Joran Van der Sloot entered a plea of guilty saying, "Yes, I want to plead guilty. I wanted from the first moment to confess sincerely. I truly am sorry for this act. I feel very bad." He will be sentenced Jan. 13.
Family Wants Life Sentence
However, lawyers for Stephany's family - who are allowed to participate in the trial under Peruvian law - will attempt to convince the court that Van der Sloot planned the murder and robbery of Flores because he was out of money.
"This guy wanted to take the money of the girl because he, in communications he had with his friends in Holland through Facebook and email, stated that he had no money, that he had no money or food, that his stay in Peru was hard and he told them: 'I am on the verge of prostitution,'" family lawyer Edward Alvarez told reporters.
If the court finds that the murder was premeditated, Van der Sloot could be sentenced to life in prison.
Challenging the Aggravating Factors
On the other hand, defense attorneys will try to show that Van der Sloot spontaneously killed Flores in a state of emotional distress, after she saw a message on his laptop that linked him to the Natalee Holloway case and struck him.
"We will challenge the aggravating factors and seek to reduce the charge from first-degree murder to simple homicide," attorney Jose Luis Jimenez said.
If the court rules the murder was the result of emotional distress, Van der Sloot could be sentenced to a term of eight to 20 years in prison. He has been incarcerated in a Peruvian prison since his arrest in June 2010.
See Also:
Holloway Suspect to Begin Murder Trial
Background:
The Crimes of Joran Van der Sloot
The Murder Confession of Joran Van der Sloot
More Information:
Natalee Holloway: Missing in Aruba
Forum:
Discuss The Van der Sloot Case
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Photo: Mug Shot
Comments
He gets privledges his victim never had-should I decide this or that legally- and no worries about being executed as he did to Ms.Flores.
Vanderslut plays cards with a drug dealer in his so called cell.
Peru has gone the way of other liberal countries where the vicitm is truly secondary and the rights of the criminal-murderer are primary.
30 years???? This is not very cool. He did much harm to a very young person. I don’t want the death penalty on this dude but 30 years is not good enough. After being involved in other criminal activity before….