Murder suspect expresses remorse: “It was him or me”

Diego U., an agent from the Security and Support Service Suriname (BBS) who is on trial for shooting his neighbor from across the street dead, on Tuesday expressed remorse in court. “If somebody would have told me that I would end up in court on a murder charge, I would have deemed that person insane. I have dedicated my life to the service of my family, loved ones and this job. Nobody leaves home to take another person’s life,” said Diego U. The defendant explained to the court that he came eye to eye with his neighbor who was mentally ill and who was armed with a sharp object. He saw the bloodthirstiness in his neighbour’s eyes so to him it was a matter of life and death. “It was him or me,” said the defendant who made it clear that if he had not acted in self-defence, his neighbor would have been on trial. The defendant denied having gone to his neighbors from across the street to take the victim’s life. He explained that he went over to complain about the fact that his neighbor had injured him with a pebble. But when he went over to their house, things went sideways fast. Within a matter of seconds the defendant had to act fast. “I did not have time to think. My life flashed before my eyes. I saw death,” said Diego U. who added that he realizes that the victim will never come back. “I have also lost everything because of what happened that day. This will haunt me for the rest of my life.”…[+]