Thomas Florin, a 58-year-old German national serving a life sentence in Namibia, just hit another legal roadblock. The Supreme Court flat-out rejected his appeal to win early release after spending more than 26 years behind bars for a horrific crime.
Back in 1998, Florin murdered his wife Monika, brutally dismembering her body, cooking her remains, and hiding her skeleton in their Swakopmund home's roof space. He received a life sentence in December 1999, with the original judge recommending he serve at least 15 years.
Florin argued he should be eligible for parole under the old 1959 Prisons Act, which would have allowed release after 10 years. However, the Supreme Court previously ruled that life-term prisoners sentenced after August 1999 can only be considered for parole after serving 25 years.
The National Release Board threw another wrench into his plans by stating that foreign nationals without permanent Namibian residence can only be released on probation, not full parole. Acting Judge Dave Smuts supported this stance, noting that foreign prisoners would be immediately deported upon release, making continued monitoring impossible.
Florin claimed the different treatment of Namibian and non-Namibian prisoners amounted to discrimination. The court disagreed, finding the policy rationally connected to legitimate objectives. With judges Theo Frank and Esi Schimming-Chase concurring, Florin's hopes for release remain firmly dashed.
Back in 1998, Florin murdered his wife Monika, brutally dismembering her body, cooking her remains, and hiding her skeleton in their Swakopmund home's roof space. He received a life sentence in December 1999, with the original judge recommending he serve at least 15 years.
Florin argued he should be eligible for parole under the old 1959 Prisons Act, which would have allowed release after 10 years. However, the Supreme Court previously ruled that life-term prisoners sentenced after August 1999 can only be considered for parole after serving 25 years.
The National Release Board threw another wrench into his plans by stating that foreign nationals without permanent Namibian residence can only be released on probation, not full parole. Acting Judge Dave Smuts supported this stance, noting that foreign prisoners would be immediately deported upon release, making continued monitoring impossible.
Florin claimed the different treatment of Namibian and non-Namibian prisoners amounted to discrimination. The court disagreed, finding the policy rationally connected to legitimate objectives. With judges Theo Frank and Esi Schimming-Chase concurring, Florin's hopes for release remain firmly dashed.
