The ex-hooker who allegedly employed a hitman to kill his Chelsea art-dealer hubby coolly sat in Manhattan federal court docket Tuesday as prosecutors confirmed jurors grisly images of the sufferer’s bloodied corpse.
Daniel Carrera Sikkema, carrying a grey blazer over a white shirt, confirmed no emotion throughout opening statements on the kick-off of his trial — at the same time as prosecutors displayed pictures of the physique of his a lot older estranged husband, Brent Sikkema, who was riddled with stab wounds from the January 2024 killing inside his residence in Rio de Janeiro.
Federal prosecutors alleged that Sikkema, in his mid-50s, employed Cuban nationwide Alejandro Triana Prevez to sneak into his 77-year-old partner’s Brazilian residence and fatally stab the outstanding vendor whereas the couple was locked in a bitter divorce and custody battle over their younger son.
“Within the yr 2024, Brent Sikkema was brutally murdered,” Assistant US Lawyer Nicholas Pavlis informed jurors. “A hitman snuck into his residence in Brazil, took a knife and stabbed Brent over and over.”
The killer “instantly made a cellphone name,” Pavlis mentioned. “Who did he name? He referred to as that man, Daniel Sikkema, that man who employed and paid him to kill Brent.”
Pavlis mentioned the defendant “orchestrated his husband’s homicide from a continent away,” believing he would obtain extra money as a widower than by means of the couple’s break up.
“He didn’t need a divorce. He wished Brent lifeless,” the prosecutor mentioned.
Sikkema allegedly funneled 1000’s of {dollars} to Prevez and folks near him by means of an online of intermediaries that included a housekeeper, her daughter, a handyman and even the suspect’s romantic accomplice.
“The defendant paid the hitman each step of the best way, making fee after fee after fee,” Pavlis mentioned.
Authorities mentioned Prevez was arrested by Brazilian police simply days after the slaying and later confessed to stabbing Brent Sikkema 18 instances within the face, chest and throat.
At Tuesday’s trial, prosecutors quoted a collection of voice notes they mentioned Sikkema despatched to buddies and relations in the course of the couple’s divorce.
“It received’t be over till this man passes away,” Sikkema mentioned in one of many recordings, in response to Pavlis.
The suspect mentioned in one other, “I’m nonetheless preventing with this outdated bastard who received’t die,” the prosecutor mentioned.
Sikkema’s lawyer, Florian Miedel, acknowledged there was “no dispute” that Prevez stabbed Brent Sikkema 18 instances contained in the Rio residence — however insisted prosecutors had no direct proof linking his shopper to the homicide.
“Daniel didn’t rent Alejandro to kill Brent,” Miedel informed jurors.
“Nobody goes to come back into this courtroom and say Daniel did it. Nobody goes to come back into this courtroom and say, ‘I’ve private data that Daniel employed Alejandro to do it.’ ”
The trial’s first witness, household pal Angela Liriano, testified that Daniel Sikkema complained repeatedly about cash in the course of the divorce.
“He was saying that he felt he wasn’t getting sufficient cash,” Liriano testified. “ ‘Six million just isn’t sufficient — I need $8 million.’ ”
She additionally recalled a chilling cellphone dialog she had with Sikkema whereas at work.
“I informed him, ‘Brent was simply right here. He informed me he was going to Brazil.’ [Sikkema] mentioned he wished [Brent] will die.
“I used to be in shock.”
