Brother who killed baseball's Gregory Halman freed on psychiatric advice

Thursday 16 August 2012

The man who killed his brother, the US baseball star Gregory Halman, during a fight over loud music last year is to be immediately released from prison, judges in Rotterdam said on Thursday.

The release has been ordered on the advice of psychiatrists at the Pieter Baan assessment centre, who said Jason Halman was having a psychotic attack when he stabbed his two-year older brother to death last November.

The attack was partly brought on by cannabis use, news agency ANP quoted the centre's researchers as saying.

Reoffending

Jason has agreed to voluntarily come under probation officer supervision to smooth his return to society, the public prosecution department said. 'The chance of him re-offending is no greater than with you or me,' the spokesman told Nos television.

Jason had been on trial in Rotterdam and the court is due to deliver its verdict on August 30. Theoretically it can still order Halman to undergo psychiatric help.

Jason stabbed his brother at home in Rotterdam in November last year during an argument over loud music.

ANP said the mother of the two men had made an impressive appearance in court about the loss of her son and the strong ties between the two boys. In a statement she said: 'We do not have to forgive you. We have nothing to forgive you for. We are all the victims. You too, as well as Greg.'

Gregory Halman was one of the Netherlands' most successful baseball exports, appearing in 44 Major League games for the Seattle Mariners. He also helped the Netherlands win the European Baseball Championship in 2007.

© DutchNews.nl