Another Murder Trial

Isaac ten Bruggenkate (dutch link) and Herman ten Bruggencate (dutch link) were grain merchants. On 5 June 1747 they went to the steward of “Huize Ootmarsum” to get a load of rye. They got into an argument about payment, which ended with a brawl. The steward died afterwards, and Isaac and Herman were accused of murder.

They were imprisoned in October in “Huize Almelo” by the Count of Almelo, but as the incident happened in Ootmarsum, law enforcement there wanted jurisdiction in the case.  The Count refused to extradite them, saying that they were his subjects, so he would deal with the case. Miraculously they escaped on 12 Feb 1748.  On 2 March 1751 they are convicted in absentia, and sentenced to a fine of 100 silver ducates and all court costs.

Their family sends in 1748 a petition to the government of Overijssel to plead the case for leniency. Herman and Isaac swear that they did not beat the steward. The body has been examined by several medical doctors on both sides. As can be expected the sides differ on the cause of death, with one side saying he died of wounds, the other of his diseases.  These examinations happened at least 4 days after the death,

four days in which it was very hot and there was lots of thunder.

The body cannot have been in very great shape!

The interesting part about the petition is that it is signed by Isaac, Herman, and 9 of their relatives, including their wives, their mothers, their grandmother, two of Isaac’s brother’s and Herman’s brother and brother-in-law.

Isaac flees to Germany with his wife and young daughter. There he prospers, and his children eventually come back to Almelo. Herman stays around Almelo, and dies in 1785, his wife survives him by another year. They had no children.