Videoland tip: The Confession of Joran is on Videoland tonight

This morning it was revealed that Joran van der Sloot a plea deal has been accepted in the case for which he is on trial today: he has been charged by the mother of Natalee Holloway, Beth Holloway, for extortion. This plea deal means he will receive a reduced sentence in exchange for revealing what happened to Natalee Holloway on May 30, 2005, in Aruba. He made that confession a few months ago, but today it was officially announced.

This news was — rightly — received with much skepticism, because if we know anything about Joran van der Sloot, it is that he is a serial liar. Why should his words now be believed? And yet, eighteen years after Natalee Holloway disappeared, it still stirs emotions. Peter R. de Vries tried to unmask him in the well-known undercover operation with Patrick van der Eem, but his colleague crime reporter John van den Heuvel also does not let go of the Joran case.

Two years ago, he got hold of Joran's diary, which led to many conversations with him in the prisons of Peru and Alabama (where he is currently held, and where today's trial is also taking place). He also spoke with many people involved in the cases Joran is connected to; this was not only about Natalee Holloway, but also about Stephany Flores and his alleged drug practices from prison.

These conversations have been recorded and processed into a three-part documentary, the first two episodes of which will be available tonight on Videoland. The next two episodes will be released weekly, also on Wednesday. I am curious if we will finally hear the truth, even if it is just part of it... And whether it corresponds with the confession he made this morning? And perhaps also more about why he did this — because we have not heard that yet.