WILLEMSTAD – The man suspected in the fatal shooting of Jardino Hasseth, better known as "Koko Man," on April 4, 2024, in the Pampanostraat neighborhood of Maripampun, has been acquitted of murder but convicted for firearm possession. On Wednesday, the Court of First Instance ruled that there was insufficient evidence to prove that Shadrach G. fired the fatal shot. 

Shadrach G. was sentenced to 18 months in prison for unlawful firearm possession, with six months suspended. As he had already spent twelve months in pre-trial detention, he was released and allowed to return home. 

However, the case is not yet closed. The Public Prosecutor’s Office immediately filed an appeal against the verdict. 

The judge confirmed that a confrontation had taken place between G. and Hasseth, who were related. G. claimed that Hasseth had pulled a gun first. During the struggle that ensued, a shot was fired, fatally wounding the 41-year-old man. The court concluded that it could not be proven that G. had fired intentionally. 

Although security camera footage captured part of the incident, the court found the video quality too poor to draw a decisive conclusion. A witness stated he heard four gunshots but was unable to provide further detail. Both men were found to have been armed at the time of the confrontation. 

While the prosecution firmly believes that G. is responsible for the shooting, the judge emphasized that a conviction cannot be based on assumptions. As the identity of the shooter could not be established beyond reasonable doubt, G. was acquitted of murder.