Czech from Neeroeteren has no explanation about why half-brother had to die (Maaseik)

The reconstruction of the murder last Tuesday was a long one. It was busy in and around the house in Zavelstraat in Neeroeteren. Anyone who was present in the home on the night of September 21 to 22, 2023, was allowed to give their account of the facts. There were many of them. The two Czech half-brothers Martin Kotlan and Michal Toman, who have the same mother but a different father, lived in the house with two other housemates. They in turn are descendants of a well-known family from Maaseik. Nabil Z., of all people, who has already been through some waters, is what you could call the star witness. The night of the murder, he saw Martin Kotlan walk out of Michal Toman’s bedroom with a knife in his hand.

“He deeply regrets what happened that fateful night”

Vanessa Penninger

Perpetrator lawyer

The morning after the facts, the same Michal Toman was found dead. The man in his thirties died from stab wounds. The same day, his half-brother was arrested and later also arrested by the investigating judge. However, he did not confess to the murder, but he has since amended his statement. “Today he does not deny that he killed his half-brother. There is now clarity about this,” responds Vanessa Penninger, Martin Kotlan’s counsel.

On Tuesday, the twenty-something had to repeat the murder. Emotions flared up. “As contradictory as it may sound, my client and the victim had a very good relationship with each other. They were brothers and friends. The two of them came from the Czech Republic to Belgium and lived together. He deeply regrets what happened that fatal night,” said lawyer Vanessa Penninger.

Under the influence

The facts have now been reconstructed, but the motive remains a big question mark. Martin Kotlan’s girlfriend, also a Czech, was also present in the house. It is being investigated, among other things, whether the reason lies with her. But after every witness had given their version of the facts at 4:30 p.m., the mystery remained: why did Michal Toman have to die?

The answer to that question may never be answered. During the search in September last year, police officers found large quantities of drugs. Everyone present appeared to be under the influence when the perpetrator struck. It was reportedly used heavily. It clouds the statements of the protagonist and secondary characters who were involved in this murder.

The reconstruction was attended by, among others, the victim’s sister, who was able to follow everything from a distance. She was the only relative present. The investigation is now in its final stretch towards the assizes. To get a better picture of perpetrator and victim, a morality study is still underway in the Czech Republic. (ppn)