In the ongoing trial against infamous former Reemtsma kidnapper Thomas Drach, expectations were high when his former co-defendant took the stand last week. Contrary to assumptions, however, the man opted to remain silent, much to the surprise of Drach's defense team. Despite their request for his re-examination as a witness, the 55-year-old Dutchman chose to keep mum, potentially affecting Drach's defense against accusations of robberies and attempted murder.
The 55-year-old had previously been summoned as a witness in September, but a spat between him, his lawyer, and the presiding judge ultimately led to the withdrawal of his mandate. The court, following the public prosecutor's office's request, dismissed the lawyer due to his absence from a hearing without excuse and allegedly discrediting the judge. The Dutchman, currently represented by his second public defender, found himself out of the witness stand.
Originally, Drach and the Dutchman stood trial together, but health issues prompted the latter's trial severance at the end of June. Drach is accused of orchestrating cash-in-transit vehicle robberies in Cologne, Frankfurt am Main, and Limburg, as well as attempting to murder couriers by shooting at them.
Witness silence can often be attributed to various factors. Fear of retaliation, self-defense concerns, legal protection, or personal reasons may hinder an individual from testifying. Unfortuneately, the specific reason for the Dutchman's silence remains unclear in this case.
Sources: [1] Common reasons for witnesses or co-defendants refusing to testify. (2022, October 10). Retrieved from
