The trial of two men accused of murdering television crime reporter Peter R. de Vries must be carried out for a second time, following delays after a new witness came forward, a court in Amsterdam has ruled.

Two men, Delano G and Kamil E were facing life in jail but the case was reopened this summer, shortly before the verdict, after a new witness gave a statement. One of the three judges then moved abroad during the delay.

The court has ruled that retrial needs to be held because of the change in the judges’ line-up. A case can only be continued in such a situation if the public prosecution department and defence agree.

Although the prosecution and Delano G’s lawyer did not want a retrial, Kamil E’s defence insisted on it. ‘The judges who will decide on his involvement must be aware of all the evidence and statements,’ Ayse Çimen said. ‘And that means the case must be heard again.’

De Vries was shot five times while walking to his car on the Leidsedwarsstraat in Amsterdam in July 2021, as he left a TV studio. G and E were arrested shortly afterwards.