WILLEMSTAD – The appeal of Urvin “Nuto” Wawoe against his life sentence returns to court Thursday, October 8, but the hearing will not yet deal with the substance of the criminal case.
Thursday's session is a pro-forma hearing intended primarily to determine how the appeal will proceed and to address possible investigative or procedural requests from Wawoe and his defense team.
Curaçao Chronicle previously reported that Wawoe and attorney Alicia Blonk are challenging the life sentence handed down on September 22. The Court found that Wawoe had led the No Limit Soldiers criminal organization, ordered killings on Sint Maarten and organized large-scale drug shipments. He was acquitted of involvement in the 2014 Hato Airport shooting.
The significance of Thursday's hearing therefore lies mainly in what happens next rather than in an immediate reconsideration of the evidence.
During a pro-forma hearing, the defense can raise requests concerning additional investigation, documents, witnesses or other matters it considers necessary before the appeal can be heard on its merits. The Court can also establish deadlines and determine the further schedule of the proceedings.
No new evidence against Wawoe has been publicly disclosed since Curaçao Chronicle's previous report on the appeal.
Wawoe continues to deny the accusations against him. Local media reported after the September judgment that the life sentence came as a surprise to his attorney.
The appeal is particularly consequential because Wawoe is challenging the most severe sentence available under Curaçao criminal law.
Thursday's proceedings could provide the first indication of the strategy his defense intends to pursue in attempting to overturn the convictions or life sentence.
A substantive appeal hearing will take place at a later stage.