WILLEMSTAD - The Supreme Court of the Netherlands (Hoge Raad) has upheld the conviction of 25-year-old Dishane Nelson for manslaughter and illegal firearm possession, confirming the judgment of the Joint Court of Justice. His prison sentence, however, was reduced by one month — from five years to four years and eleven months — due to a violation of the reasonable time limit for handling the case.

The case stems from a violent incident in May 2022, in which Nelson fatally shot his mother’s partner after witnessing her being brutally assaulted via a video call.

A desperate call for help

On the night of May 7–8, 2022, Nelson received a video call from his mother, during which he saw her being severely beaten by her 45-year-old boyfriend, described as a muscular bodybuilder. Her face was swollen and bloodied as she begged her son for help. Nelson immediately left his workplace, took a taxi to her home in Bonam, and confronted the man. During the altercation, Nelson fired several shots, killing the assailant, identified as Douglas.

Court rejects self-defense arguments

In May 2024, the Joint Court of Justice sentenced Nelson to five years in prison for manslaughter and violating the Firearms Ordinance. His defense argued that he acted in self-defense (noodweer) or under emotional distress (noodweerexces).

The court acknowledged that there was indeed a situation of self-defense, but ruled that Nelson’s response was disproportionate. He had fired multiple close-range shots, even as his mother reportedly pleaded with him to stop. The judges concluded that Nelson was capable of aiming deliberately and that his emotional state did not justify his excessive reaction.

Supreme Court confirms ruling, notes delay

The Supreme Court agreed with the lower court’s assessment, rejecting the defense’s arguments on self-defense and emotional excess. However, it found that the reasonable time limit for handling the appeal had been exceeded, as the case took more than 16 months to process.

As a result, Nelson’s prison term was reduced by one month, from five years to four years and eleven months, while the conviction itself remains fully intact.

The case has drawn public attention in Curaçao for its tragic family context, raising broader questions about domestic violence, proportionality in self-defense, and judicial response times in the Caribbean justice system.