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by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Oct 20  – Daniel Sikkema has been subject to an Interpol warrant for the murder of his estanged husband, art gallery owner Brent Sikkema, in Brazil. On March 20 Daniel Sikkema was brought by US Marshals into the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrates Court, with detention sought for passport fraud. Inner City Press was the only media there and live tweeted, thread

He was released - but on March 27 asked for a delay in putting up the Queens house: we have "identified a substitute property located in Manhattan to secure Mr. Sikkema’s bond, as the home we initially intended to post is unavailable." Letter on Patreon here.

On April 12, Daniel Sikkema was formally indicted. Patreon here

On December 18, a trial date was picked, and Inner City Press was there, the only media in the courtroom. From the thread:

All rise! Judge: I recently denied defendant's motions. Let's set a trial date. AUSA: April 21? Judge: I'm told there's a large jury selection here thay day [US v Eric Adams]. So the 22nd Story later

Addendum: Just after "Adjourned," Judge Ramos genially asked Inner City Press, What's the big trial here on April 21? "Eric Adams."

Well, not anymore. And on February 11, a superseding indictment of Sikkema, including murder for hire charges.

Inner City Press was in the Magistrates Court when he was remanded into detention.

And again on February 26 before Judge Ramos, from the thread:

AUSA: The capital case process is changing under the new Administration

[We asked: Will it apply also to US v Luigi Mangeone? The answer is, Yes. Jeezy Mula too]

On July 1, still no decision on Sikkema: "Conference as to Daniel Sikkema held on 7/1/2025. The government has not yet decided whether it will seek the death penalty in this case. A pretrial conference is scheduled for August 13, 2025."

But on August 7 the US Attorney's Office wrote in asking for 30 more days, saying DOJ "is determining whether it will seek the death penalty in this case. That decision has not yet been made."

On August 8, "as to Daniel Sikkema, the status conference scheduled for August 13, 2025, is adjourned to September 18, 2025, at 11 a.m.  (Signed by Judge Edgardo Ramos on 8/8/2025)

But on September 16 the US wrote in for 30 more days, saying DOJ "is determining whether it will seek the death penalty in this case. That decision has not yet been made."

On October 20 the US Attorney's Office wrote in, "The Government writes to inform the Court that the Office of the Attorney General has directed the Government not to seek the death penalty against defendant Daniel Sikkema."

More details on X for Subscribers here and Substack here

 The case is USA v. Sikkema, 1:24-cr-227 (Ramos)

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