Joran Van der Sloot Charged With Murder And Theft

By Jeralyn, Section Crime in the News
Posted on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 12:06:31 PM EST
Tags: Joran Van der Sloot (all tags)

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Joran Van der Sloot has been charged with aggravated murder in Peru, (Google translation here) with findings he intended to rob Stephany Flores, persuaded her to come to his hotel room and then brutally murdered her and tried to cover it up. (Added: Later press release from the court (English Google translation here) explains it differently. It's homicide with special circumstances and simple theft.)

Another version here (Google translation here.)

Three cab drivers were also charged with failure to report a crime. The complaint alleges they knew of the crime when or after they drove Joran. Some reports say the maximum sentence for murder during the commission of a robbery with extreme violence is is 35 years, others say it's life.

As to the cover-up, it may have to do with his having pretended to have lost the key to his room. [More...]

Joran will now be handed over to the penal authorities to await trial. The National Penitentiary Institute (INPE) will decide which prison he will be held in.

Trials in Peru, which are to a panel of judges, not juries, can take up to two years.

His lawyer is attacking the confession and arguing he didn't have his counsel of choice present. His lawyer says he will present a manslaughter defense.

From what I've read, the maximum is life, but another source says while penal code allows for life in prison, the constitution of Peru does not.

Yesterday there were reports Joran told Peruvian authorities he would be willing to tell Aruba where Natalie's body is buried. Sounds like he is holding out for a transfer to Aruba. I still think that will be the ultimate outcome, if he lives that long. Peru knows the world is watching, so hopefully they will keep him safe.

Also, most reports are now acknowledging Joran first met Stephany a few days before they hooked up at 3 am at the casino that last night. As I said here where I posted the camera stills, it looks like they are greeting each other, not meeting each other.

Last word: Once again, this sends a message that when you are given the right to remain silent, use it. Prisons are filled with people who thought if they could only tell their side of the story, the police would see it their way. It rarely happens. Peru doesn't provide the right to remain silent. The threats regarding consequences for refusing to talk may have been too great. But here, where we do have that right, it's best to exercise it.

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Joran Van der Sloot Charged With Murder And Theft | 60 comments (60 topical)

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Never underestimate (3.00 / 2) (#23)
by Untold Story on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 04:16:15 PM EST

the power of a woman, of the power of a mother!

BT has created a new career path for herself, and, a far more lucrative one, out of this tragedy. She is without a doubt a heartbroken mother. However, she has just about taken down a country and now seems to have been able to finance her suspected daughter's killer to continue what she has always implied to be his lifestyle.

Yes - an overweight black girl doesn't get a chance of being found or, even looked for by the social media.

How are we supposed to engage in our speculation (none / 0) (#1)
by ruffian on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 12:56:12 PM EST

without all the video evidence up front?

Although I know video surveillance is growing, I never thought it was in every hallway of hotels. Neither did Joran, apparently. Something to keep in mind.

I heartily second Jeralyn's warning about talking to the police. As someone sitting there, you have no way of judging their intentions or honesty. Just STFU.

After the recent Times Square event, I (none / 0) (#7)
by oculus on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 02:24:51 PM EST

read there were just shy of 200 government cameras in the area.


More (none / 0) (#9)
by squeaky on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 02:28:57 PM EST

There are more like 2000 cameras there when you take into account the tourists..


Note: I sd. "government." Doesn't (5.00 / 2) (#10)
by oculus on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 02:30:03 PM EST

include tourists w/cameras and/or store security cameras, etc.


: Yes (none / 0) (#15)
by squeaky on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 02:53:47 PM EST

And I was pointing out that there were in fact more. Although some states are arguing that only the government can photograph when it comes to the Police.

In response to a flood of Facebook and YouTube videos that depict police abuse, a new trend in law enforcement is gaining popularity. In at least three states, it is now illegal to record any on-duty police officer.
Even if the encounter involves you and may be necessary to your defense, and even if the recording is on a public street where no expectation of privacy exists.
The legal justification for arresting the "shooter" rests on existing wiretapping or eavesdropping laws, with statutes against obstructing law enforcement sometimes cited. Illinois, Massachusetts, and Maryland are among the 12 states in which all parties must consent for a recording to be legal unless, as with TV news crews, it is obvious to all that recording is underway. Since the police do not consent, the camera-wielder can be arrested. Most all-party-consent states also include an exception for recording in public places where "no expectation of privacy exists" (Illinois does not) but in practice this exception is not being recognized.

now that you mention it (none / 0) (#46)
by thadjock on Sat Jun 12, 2010 at 09:44:39 AM EST

do we know if every door in that hotel has a video cam on it? vds would have been aware it was there, if it was a regular security system cam they're generally not completely concealed, their visibility is part of their deterrent effect.

if they're going to use the cam video as evidence they'll have to supply ALL of it from the moment vds checked into the hotel to the day the body was discovered. so far all we've seen is "2 go in, one comes out"

Maybe vds had someone after him and SF seem to have been a friend , so she gives him her money and car to get away, and later she's found in the room by the party pursuing vds and killed either because she wouldn't tell them where vds was, or killed simply to complicate vds's situation further.

and I remember early on there was a statement from a hotel housekeeper that she had entered through the "back" door to the room to clean? are there two doors to the room or was that just a google translation glitch.


the "backdoor" was a (none / 0) (#47)
by ding7777 on Sat Jun 12, 2010 at 10:20:50 AM EST

mistranslation - there is only one door.

In your scenario, why does vds exit his room with 2 coffees, lock the door, knock on the locked door, then request the hotel folks to let him in the room because he says he lost/misplaced/left the key the room - why didn't Stephany let vds in the room if she was still alive?

What we still haven't seen is what time it was when vds initially went for coffee and returned - how much time did he spend in the room with the 2 coffees before he pretended to be locked out of the room?

Unless this is a doctored tape or a phony re-inactment (including dying his back to his dark color), the tape looks damaging.


maybe she wasn't even in the room (none / 0) (#48)
by thadjock on Sat Jun 12, 2010 at 11:09:50 AM EST

when he was doing the coffee shuffle with the hotel worker. I guess my point is that w/o seeing ALL the video, without editing, the pieces we have seen are uselss. she could have left the room at any point, been killed somewhere else and then her body dumped in the room later. the gaps in the video leave open almost any possiblity.

vds's hair morphology is just bizarre, it seems to have been lightened, and then he shows up with a total buzzcut, when and where did all this salon work happen?


: Hair (none / 0) (#49)
by Untold Story on Sat Jun 12, 2010 at 11:36:00 AM EST

He seems to have shaved it all off - makes sense for travel. The very top is all I see as being, perhaps, dyed or bleached.
Could it be the lighting?

Seems to be two minutes from front desk (none / 0) (#50)
by Untold Story on Sat Jun 12, 2010 at 11:53:18 AM EST

Video opens at 08:35:38 approx., VdJ goes for help at 08:37:35 approx., and help w/key arrives at 08:39:35 approx.

Considering he would have to explain he wanted a key, give his room number, the employee find the key and get to the room in two minutes seems to me that the front desk is very close by.

Then why didn't anyone hear the violent sounds that must have transmitted from the room if SF were murdered in the fashion the police are charging?


You can walk a long way in 2 min (none / 0) (#56)
by thadjock on Sat Jun 12, 2010 at 03:48:38 PM EST

and it's a $40/nite hotel, I'm guessing there are all kinds of noises eminating from most of the rooms, hotel staff generally don't butt in, and in some south american countries they just carry out the dead bodies with the laundry the next morning. Keep in mind, Peru has been having it's own little drug war going on while everybody else is paying attention to the mexican/US border massacres.

I am curious if all the doors to all the rooms in the hotel have a security cam placed directly above the door? if not, it's terribly convenient that vds was given a room with a cam above the door. Think about it, if he was in a room 2-3 doors down from the camera, it would be difficult or impossible to positively ID people entering or leaving the room.


: very interesting point (none / 0) (#57)
by Untold Story on Sat Jun 12, 2010 at 04:02:18 PM EST

poker face? (none / 0) (#2)
by thadjock on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 01:44:39 PM EST

Since he's a playa, I rather suspect vds is holding that "i'll tell you where NH is" card as his ace in the hole. maybe it's the ONLY thing that will keep them from just killing him now, either in prison or by letting some wack job on the street get close enough when they're transporting him.

from every perspective other than Beth Twitty's, vds dead now would very neatly wrap up all the inconvient inconsistencies that would have to be further explained if he goes to trial or if he is allowed to communicate further.

but ultimately, BT knows if she's ever to have any hope of finding her daughters remains, she could never allow herself snuff out that candle. in an odd turn of events BT might be vds's best insurance policy.

Beth Twitty (5.00 / 3) (#18)
by gyrfalcon on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 03:27:22 PM EST

the omnipotent, all-powerful Beth Twitty, whose control reaches deep into the Peruvian establishment. Who could possibly hope to escape her wrath?


6 degrees of seperation (none / 0) (#22)
by thadjock on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 03:55:27 PM EST

it's not about BT. it's about BT making her daughters disappearance into a political cause. many people (99.95% of the worlds population it would seem) who aren't even within 6 deg of her are sympathetic to her cause and wouldn't hesitate act on her behalf.

Do you know how many girls NH's age go missing every year, average girls, not as pretty, not as blonde or not as priveledged, some prostitutes, some women of color, some poor women, they never have their story told, period. they disappear, and nancy grace never blinks an eye.

News stories are "discovered" and pimped by people who "prepackage" and sell them to networks based on their marketability. NH's story set off all the bells and whistles. NH has greta van susteren, who's fighting for the others?

Check out Gideon Yago's IFC media project. It will make you want to throw your TV off a bridge everytime you see some network news ass editorializing their "story" into fact.


Beth Tiwtty rules!!!! (5.00 / 1) (#24)
by gyrfalcon on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 04:35:02 PM EST

"BT knows if she's ever to have any hope of finding her daughters remains, she could never allow herself snuff out that candle."

Your focus on a disappeared and probably murdered girl's mother is absolutely obscene.


Irony (5.00 / 3) (#27)
by waldenpond on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 05:40:27 PM EST

Just noticing, you are what you are complaining about. You, and a couple of others, have joined just to comment on this case and take no interest in any other discussions on the site.

and for all the obsession over the evils of Beth, she's made one brief expressing her compassion for the other family and not been seen again.


are you telling me to leave? (1.00 / 2) (#28)
by thadjock on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 05:55:38 PM EST

I dont' dismiss her pain and suffering one bit, but as another poster kindly reminded us, BT has made a career out of her daughters disappearance.

She doesn't have to speak out on the SF murder, she already knows the outcome of Law & Order Peruvian style.


I doubt that BT (5.00 / 1) (#31)
by ding7777 on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 06:12:06 PM EST

"knows the outcome of Law & Order Peruvian style" since even many of TL's posts show conflicting information regarding charges and sentences.


: Details, details....... (none / 0) (#32)
by thadjock on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 06:28:45 PM EST

the cake has been baked.
I think we all pretty much know how this is going to play out, maybe not every turn along the way but ultimately....ya, society won't have it any other way.

No you don't have to leave (none / 0) (#39)
by Jeralyn on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 07:59:10 PM EST

And I share your opinion of BT. I change the channel whenever she comes on and still resent the way the networks forced her on us night after night, as if she was the only mother with a disappearing or murdered daughter. Yes, it's tragic. Yes, one hopes the perpetrator is caught. No, she and her family don't deserve prime time coverage for years. Missing, blonde white girl syndrome.


from grieving mother to victim in 60 seconds (1.00 / 1) (#53)
by thadjock on Sat Jun 12, 2010 at 03:31:33 PM EST

yeah, she stopped being a sympathetic character for me when she changed roles, and started selling herself as the victim, instead of her daughter.

for all the people claiming vds is a narcissist, it's pretty apparent BT craves the kind of love that only the spotlight can give too.


She's a victim ... (5.00 / 1) (#58)
by Yman on Sun Jun 13, 2010 at 08:18:26 AM EST

... of her daughter's murder, too, just as any parent would be.

Blaming her for the murder of Stephany Flores is disgusting.


So is BT profiting from the loss of her daughter (none / 0) (#59)
by thadjock on Sun Jun 13, 2010 at 09:47:13 AM EST

: Really? I haven't seen any evidence ... (none / 0) (#60)
by Yman on Sun Jun 13, 2010 at 12:21:39 PM EST

... that Beth Holloway is "profiting from" the loss of her daughter. I know she's written a book and there's been discussion of a TV movie about the case. She's started several non-profits (MayDay 360, Safe Traveler's Foundation and Natalie Holloway Foundation). Has she made any profits from the book? I don't know, but even if she has, she's become a full-time advocate for laws and organizations who's purpose is to prevent others from becoming victims like her daughter. To accuse her of "profiting from" the death of her daughter is like arguing the NWF is "profiting from" the Deepwater gulf spill, or accusing John Walsh of "profiting from" the death of his son.
But, hey .... at least you're now acknowledging that your blaming of Beth Holloway for the murder of Stephany Flores is disgusting.
Progress.

Wow (5.00 / 1) (#61)
by Jjc2008 on Sun Jun 13, 2010 at 05:18:18 PM EST

That's all I can say.

I know myself that sometimes the catharsis for a horrid, unforgettable thing in one's life, may mean doing things out of the ordinary. I am sure BT and other parents of murdered children become acutely aware that other parents do not get the opportunity to speak out against the violence that took their child. I wish she had had more success with the Arubian authorities. Perhaps another young woman may have been spared.
Yes, I know Juran is innocent until proven guilty. But seriously, so is BT and other parents. The condemnation of her motives seem as unfair as the condemnation of those yet to be proven guilty many here complain about.


What property is it alleged the suspect (none / 0) (#3)
by oculus on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 02:08:42 PM EST

took?

According to police (5.00 / 1) (#5)
by jbindc on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 02:15:51 PM EST

"When he left his room that morning," Guardia said, "Joran took Stephany's cash, jewelry, credit cards, ID, and her car, which he abandoned a few miles away."

ABC News


Is there any reliable report he (none / 0) (#6)
by oculus on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 02:17:57 PM EST

had any of her property in his possession kwhen he was first contacted by Chilcean law enforcement?


Do you know where the taxi drivers come in? (none / 0) (#12)
by ruffian on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 02:31:28 PM EST

I couldn't find that in the links, other than that they were charges. Did VDS talk in the cab? Just how stupid is this guy?


the day vds was apprehended (none / 0) (#14)
by thadjock on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 02:51:45 PM EST

I caught a news vid of a reporter interviewing the cab driver vds was with at the time, and the cab driver said vds didn't speak much, he only mentioned to the cab driver he was going to chile for tourism and the cab driver noted vds was smoking while in his cab.

didn't sound like an episode of taxicab confessions to me.


I think the taxi deal is not that they (5.00 / 1) (#40)
by Jeralyn on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 08:01:09 PM EST

knew at the time but they didn't come forward to say they drove him once it was blasted his picture on tv and said he was wanted. (Just my interpretation based on the charge of failure to report a crime.)


: Oh, I get it- thanks! (none / 0) (#41)
by ruffian on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 10:10:55 PM EST

I sincerely apologize in advance (none / 0) (#21)
by ruffian on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 03:38:26 PM EST

to Jeralyn - I know she does not like insulting comments. Should not have called him stupid.


I'm guessing whatever money (none / 0) (#4)
by ruffian on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 02:12:57 PM EST

Stephany had on her.


No death penalty at present in Peru. (none / 0) (#11)
by oculus on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 02:31:06 PM EST

Cince 1972, is what I remember reading.

Although I am against the death penalty, (none / 0) (#13)
by Buckeye on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 02:49:50 PM EST

that may be more humane than life in a Peruvian prison (especially for a 22 year old gringo accused of murdering a Peruvian politician's daughter).

humane sentences (none / 0) (#16)
by thadjock on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 03:12:07 PM EST

I agree, I've always thought the death penalty would be prefereable to life in ANY prison if you're there without possiblity of parole.

Another poster here used the phrase "perfect storm" to describe the aggregate of events and circumstances vds faces and I can't think of any more apt description.

That he's been charged with a crime carrying the maximum penalty is no suprise. SF's father is politically well connected (former preidential candidate I think?) I would have expected nothing less.


Don't forget (5.00 / 1) (#17)
by jbindc on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 03:16:35 PM EST

VDS was also politically well connected in Aruba, which may explain why (if he did) get away with the Natalee Holloway disappearance / death / murder.

He certainly used it to his advantage - why should it matter now that his alleged victim was politically connected?


: Certainly poetic justice (none / 0) (#19)
by ruffian on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 03:35:46 PM EST

: Putting words in other people's mouths.... (none / 0) (#20)
by ks on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 03:36:48 PM EST

Who said it mattered now? I think the poster was just speculating, correctly imo, how it probably affected the severity of the charges in this case. In any event, I don't think political connections tell the tale. It appears that, unlike in the Hollway case, there's a lot more actual evidence against VDS now than then.

2000 missing (US) children per day (none / 0) (#25)
by Untold Story on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 04:39:42 PM EST

National Missing Children's Day was May 25th -
http://www.takepart.com/news/2010/05/25/national-missing-childrens-day

: I knew it was a lot (none / 0) (#30)
by thadjock on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 06:08:01 PM EST

didnt know it was that big. thx for the link

Was pretending to lose his key (none / 0) (#26)
by ding7777 on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 05:32:46 PM EST

part of his alibi that someone else murdered her?

Or was it necessary so he could get his passport back?

Part of the alibi- building the story that she was (none / 0) (#42)
by ruffian on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 10:14:16 PM EST

alive in the room at the time. Making sure someone knew he was there with his two cups of coffee expecting someone else in the room.


the surveilance video of the hotel employee (none / 0) (#43)
by thadjock on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 10:39:05 PM EST

opening the door to the room (while vds stood aside holding the coffee), shows him swinging the door to the room wide open. Did that allow him a view of the room which included the location where the body was found? or Do the police have a statement from the hotel employee stating she was alive and in the room at the time he opened the door?


I'm not saying the employees (none / 0) (#44)
by ruffian on Sat Jun 12, 2010 at 04:28:33 AM EST

actually saw anyone in the room, dead or alive, just that I believe Joran's actios are meant to give the impression that he went to get coffee for himself and a live companion. He needed an audience for that little act. If he had known the camera was there he wouldn't have had to bother with the further 'lost the key' act.

I assume that if the employee had seen her alive there would be a whole other timeline to this case, but no, i have not seen a reportvof the interview.


Joran (none / 0) (#45)
by ding7777 on Sat Jun 12, 2010 at 07:32:24 AM EST

also needed a reason why a "live" Stephany did not open the door... she was asleep?? in the bathroom??


Maybe (none / 0) (#51)
by Untold Story on Sat Jun 12, 2010 at 12:10:34 PM EST

he simply forgot he had taken her coffee as well as his own and he did forget the key. He knew she was in the shower and she wouldn't hear him knocking?


I think he just forgot his key (none / 0) (#52)
by thadjock on Sat Jun 12, 2010 at 03:11:42 PM EST

I don't see how having a hotel employee open your door for you establishes any kind of alibi if the hotel employee doesn't actually see SF alive and in the room.

I doubt that the hotel employee would even ask why, if vds told them he left his key in the room or lost it, since he was registered as a single, and SF wasn't a guest at the hotel, they wouldn't even think there was anyone else in the room who could let him in.

and I dunno why 2 cups of coffee....maybe he's a caffeine addict, or trying to blow out a hangover.


: The theory is (none / 0) (#54)
by jbindc on Sat Jun 12, 2010 at 03:32:09 PM EST

She was already dead by then. Asking the hotel employee to let him in lets someone see him with 2 cups of coffee, thereby possibly throwing off the time of death - so he could say exactly what some people here are saying "She couldn't POSSIBLY be dead! He had two cups of coffee! Why would he do that if she wasn't alive?"

: Police theory is (none / 0) (#55)
by Untold Story on Sat Jun 12, 2010 at 03:44:43 PM EST

it was done by VdS to establish a different timelline.
If so, since he wasn't aware of the camera, why would he lightly knock a couple of times?

He looks out of it on this video (none / 0) (#29)
by kasey9 on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 06:07:49 PM EST

He looks like he is totally high or simply "out of it" in this video. I heard that the girls toxicology came back negative - showing no signs of drugs, do we know what his toxicology showed?

Also negative (none / 0) (#33)
by waldenpond on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 06:31:26 PM EST

His was negative also. That's why I believe he won't be able to use being 'under the influence' as a mitigating factor.


It also means he didn't drug her (none / 0) (#35)
by thadjock on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 06:54:47 PM EST

I can't decide if that goes in his (+) column, or her (-) column. so she went to his room sober and voluntarily? we know she wasn't interested in sex, so there must have been something else in there she wanted badly enough to be alone with a suspected murderer.

I have a hard time believing that the daughter of a high profile businessman and political aspirant, would be completely unaware who vds was and the reason for his noteriety.


: Well (none / 0) (#36)
by squeaky on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 07:16:48 PM EST

If the police labs here can be compromised, I do not doubt that the labs in Lima are "mistake" proof.
Sorry I am not an automatic believer in the integrity of the police, wherever they are.

Thanks Waldenpond. (none / 0) (#34)
by kasey9 on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 06:40:13 PM EST

I was not sure how his came back. I heard he smnoked pot and I heard some mention of cocaine, can he argue he was under cocaine and by the time time they did the toxicology it had run out of his system. I think cocaine has a three day effect...?

Did he look out of it to you...was he "almost" knocking on the door...?

In my opinion that video symbolizes he is somewhat out of his mind...unless hes a heck of an actor...and in that case, he deserves an oscar.

: he told police he took three (none / 0) (#37)
by Jeralyn on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 07:53:54 PM EST

amphetamine pills in the room.

Jeralyn already may well have (none / 0) (#38)
by Untold Story on Fri Jun 11, 2010 at 07:57:08 PM EST

written the final chapter (or, at least, previewed a copy).

Think she is absolutely correct when she says that eventually Aruba will be given VdS as Peru can't keep him safe and they are on world stage.