Na New York art dealer wey get big name for Chelsea gallery, Brent Sikkema, don die for Rio de Janeiro townhouse for January 2024. Dem stab am, and now im estranged husband, Daniel Sikkema, don face judgment for federal court for Manhattan. Daniel, wey be 55 years old, don dey convicted of hiring hitman to kill im husband. The case don shake art world, as Brent Sikkema be well-known figure wey dey represent artists like Kara Walker, Vik Muniz, and Arturo Herrera.
According to prosecutors, Daniel Sikkema dey in frequent contact with the alleged hitman before and after the killing. Dem say e funnel over $10,000 to the man and promise am more money. The hitman, wey be Cuban citizen wey live for New York, don dey arrested for Brazil and remain for jail there. Daniel Sikkema dey face mandatory life sentence for murder-for-hire conspiracy wey result for death.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton describe the killing as senseless, cold-blooded murder. E say the verdict bring meaningful measure of justice. But Daniel Sikkema lawyer, Florian Miedel, tell jury say the case dey built on circumstantial evidence, and there be no proof to show im client guilt. Miedel say, ‘Life dey messy. The truth no dey always obvious.’
Brent Sikkema, wey be 75 years old, don amass multimillion-dollar estate and own gallery wey become Sikkema Malloy Jenkins. The gallery dey represent international artists for nearly 30 years. Daniel Sikkema and Brent Sikkema get teenage son together. Prosecutors say Daniel bragged to others say e go get more money from im spouse death than from divorce. After the killing, dem say e try to cover im tracks and cash in.
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