Court acquits brother in deadly stabbing of M's outfielder
AMSTERDAM (AP) - A Dutch court acquitted the brother of Seattle Mariners outfielder Greg Halman on Thursday of stabbing the baseball star to death last year, saying he was temporarily insane at the time.
Rotterdam District said Jason Halman "was in a state of psychosis at the time of the stabbing" and could therefore not be held accountable for his actions.
Greg Halman hit .230 in 35 games for the Mariners in 2011 and made starts at all three outfield positions before being optioned to Triple-A Tacoma.
The 24-year-old Halman died after being stabbed in the neck on Nov. 21 at an apartment in Rotterdam, reportedly following an argument over loud music.
In a written statement, the court said Jason Halman was allowed to walk free after psychiatric and psychological assessments found "there is only a remote chance of any reoccurrence; it is well possible that the psychosis has been a singular event."
Halman had already been released from custody two weeks ago after prosecutors joined defense attorneys in saying that he should be acquitted on mental health grounds.
Born in the city of Haarlem, Greg Halman played in the Dutch Pro League and was part of the gold-medal winning Dutch squad at the 2007 European Championship and played for the Netherlands at the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
Rotterdam District said Jason Halman "was in a state of psychosis at the time of the stabbing" and could therefore not be held accountable for his actions.
Greg Halman hit .230 in 35 games for the Mariners in 2011 and made starts at all three outfield positions before being optioned to Triple-A Tacoma.
The 24-year-old Halman died after being stabbed in the neck on Nov. 21 at an apartment in Rotterdam, reportedly following an argument over loud music.
In a written statement, the court said Jason Halman was allowed to walk free after psychiatric and psychological assessments found "there is only a remote chance of any reoccurrence; it is well possible that the psychosis has been a singular event."
Halman had already been released from custody two weeks ago after prosecutors joined defense attorneys in saying that he should be acquitted on mental health grounds.
Born in the city of Haarlem, Greg Halman played in the Dutch Pro League and was part of the gold-medal winning Dutch squad at the 2007 European Championship and played for the Netherlands at the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
I've lost faith in humanity....
Oh, so he's just mentally ill, so no mental hospital or nothing, just let him go? Man, I thought our justice system was f'ed up! Well I guess I know now I sure as hell won't ever go over there! If that's the way they run things there, I'll be lucky to get out of there alive!
Are you SERIOUS?!?! Since "there is only a remote chance of any reoccurrence; it is well possible that the psychosis has been a singular event," this guy gets to walk free?
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First off, the dude killed his brother over an argument about loud music! If he could snap in a situation like that, you REALLY think it isn't going to happen again?
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What a bunch of bs.
Everybody stay out of this guys way.
If you really want to understand the facts behind the case, read the linked story below. I feel bad for this guy. Â http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/8286055/seattle-mariners-gregory-halman-days-leading-death-hands-brother-jasonÂ
The Dutch have been spending to much time in those special cafes
This is such a bad joke it almost seems scripted from a movie. How convenient to only be in a state of psychosis during a murder, then magically cured after the murder. This should be only usable for those who had a kid murdered and went crazy going after the killer, or similar life changing events, not an argument about music.
 @eichler34 http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/8286055/seattle-mariners-gregory-halman-days-leading-death-hands-brother-jason
@PalousePirates I read the link you posted but it doesn't change my opinion. In fact, it proves moreso what a danger Jason is to the community.
@PalousePirates Actually that is EXACTLY why I think he shouldn't have been acquitted. I do know people with mental illnesses. Don't get me wrong, I feel bad for Jason however he KILLED someone! Mental illness makes people unpredictable and treatment doesn't always work. He should have been found guilty and spent the time in a mental treatment residence instead of jail.
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You can't guarantee that he won't hurt someone else in his life time. In fact, no one can. From reading the article you posted the link to, it moreso proved to me just how dangerous Jason is. Could you not see that? If he snaps again, he could end up killing more people, not just the one.
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People like him do NOT belong in society.
 @Tattooed_Angel If you have ever known someone mentally ill, then you would probably understand. Their dad was a true POS, completely messed them up.  Further, it reads that their is likely a chemical imbalance that is genetic in the family, particularly with the father. The most tragic piece of it, the would was tiny, no more than a scratch in appearance.  Jason is going to have to live with those demons every day of his life, which is really sad. I don't think he ever posed a danger to anyone other than his family and himself.Â
I'm not surprised he was found insane, but I am surprised he isn't being shipped to a mental hospital for an extended amount of time. Â Check out the ESPN article. Â I think it's pretty apparent he has mental issues.
Wow!! Apparently "sh#t happens" is an effective defense strategy in Rotterdam.
Temporary psychosis? How's that for NO information?
 @fyrefawx http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/8286055/seattle-mariners-gregory-halman-days-leading-death-hands-brother-jason
 @PalousePirates Thank you for the link, I read the whole thing. What an incredibly sad story. I feel so bad for them all. May Greg Halman Rest in Peace and may his brother Jason find the peace that has evaded him all his life.
Wow. "there is only a remote chance of any reoccurrence; it is well possible that the psychosis has been a singular event."
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Really?
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What an asinine verdict
@SODOSonicsNow the Dutch and the Norwegens need to get together and see who has the most touchy feely laws for dealing with murder. i wonder what they will do when his psychosis becomes a "plural" event.
 @sportbuff01  @SODOSonicsNow Isn't it pathetic and scary that after reading for years about our ludicrous "justice" system, to learn that it isn't anywhere near the worst?Â