Natalee Holloway Suspect Sought in Peru Murder

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the recent developments concerning Joran van der Sloot, who has been named the prime suspect in the murder of a young Peruvian woman, coinciding with the anniversary of Natalee Holloway's disappearance. Participants explore the implications of this case, the nature of the evidence, and the broader context of justice in Peru.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express disbelief at the circumstances surrounding the murder, questioning how van der Sloot could book a hotel room and leave after a crime.
  • There is mention of an arrest warrant issued by Peruvian police, and some participants note the timing of the murder being five years after Holloway's disappearance.
  • Speculation arises regarding van der Sloot's mental state following his father's death, with some suggesting it may have influenced his actions.
  • Participants discuss the implications of van der Sloot's past behavior and whether it indicates a pattern of violence, with some suggesting he may feel invincible due to previous evasion of justice.
  • There are conflicting views on the effectiveness of the justice system in Peru, with some expressing skepticism about the potential for a fair trial.
  • Video evidence from the hotel is mentioned as potentially incriminating, with some participants believing it could lead to a conviction.
  • Reports of van der Sloot confessing to the murder are discussed, with varying interpretations of his statements regarding intent.
  • Concerns are raised about the severity of potential sentencing in Peru, with some noting the absence of a death penalty for most crimes.
  • The discussion touches on societal attitudes towards crime and class in Peru, with some participants suggesting that the value placed on victims may vary based on their social status.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the implications of the evidence or the justice system's effectiveness. Multiple competing views remain regarding van der Sloot's guilt, mental state, and the societal context of the crime.

Contextual Notes

Participants express various assumptions about the legal system in Peru, the nature of evidence, and the psychological impact of personal loss on behavior. There are unresolved questions about the reliability of reports and the implications of van der Sloot's past.

  • #31
leroyjenkens said:
Why should it matter who you kill? That implies some people are better than others.

Peru is a highly class-conscious society. So in that sense this doesn't surprise me, but I think this speaks more to revolution, than crime.
 
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  • #32
leroyjenkens said:
Why should it matter who you kill? That implies some people are better than others.

It was probably passed in response to attempts to overthrow the government and previous http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_Conflict_in_Peru" .
 
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  • #33
Ivan Seeking said:
Peru is a highly class-conscious society. So in that sense this doesn't surprise me, but I think this speaks more to revolution, than crime.

It's also like that here in America. If you kill a cop, it carriers a lot harsher penalty than if you just kill some nobody on the street.
 
  • #34
dlgoff said:
From what I've been hearing on the TV news, he is saying he didn't mean to kill her. I guess he just doesn't know his own strength when it comes to trying to rape.
I wouldn't take anything he says seriously, given his history with interviews.
 
  • #35
There is a mistake in previous posts.

In Peru, death penalty applies only "in case of betrayal to the country during a war with an external enemy".

I am peruvian.
 
  • #36
Castilla said:
There is a mistake in previous posts.

In Peru, death penalty applies only "in case of betrayal to the country during a war with an external enemy".

I am peruvian.

Yes, they alluded to this in the news report, but it wasn't clear that this applied to both cases. Apparently assasination qualifies as betrayal?

How is betrayal defined?
 
  • #37
I found this description of "betrayal to the country" in a peruvian legally-oriented web page: "To favour the external enemy during war, supplying him with any data, procedure, issue, document or object that may be used to damage the national defense".

Obviously, it does not apply to Van der Sloot.
 
  • #38
Castilla said:
Obviously, it does not apply to Van der Sloot.

No. By both cases I meant the cases of assasination and treason.

Just curious.
 
  • #39
Monique said:
I wouldn't take anything he says seriously, given his history with interviews.
I was being facetious. He's just trying to get out of a stiffer sentence by saying he didn't mean to do it. IMO