Murder-for-hire trial begins for art dealer Brent Sikkema's death

On Tuesday, the trial for Daniel Sikkema, the estranged spouse of renowned New York art dealer Brent Sikkema, commenced in federal court in Manhattan. Angela Liriano, a retired pharmacist, testified that during a phone call in December 2023, Daniel expressed a wish that his partner was dead. A month later, Brent Sikkema, 75, co-owner of Sikkema Malloy & Jenkins gallery, was discovered with 18 stab wounds in his townhouse in Rio de Janeiro. An alleged hitman is currently incarcerated in Brazil. Daniel Sikkema, 55, a dual citizen of the U.S. and Cuba, was taken into custody in April 2024 on charges of murder-for-hire. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Pavlis informed jurors that Daniel transferred over $10,000 to the hitman, claiming he would profit more from Brent's death than from a divorce. Defense attorney Florian Miedel cautioned jurors against relying on circumstantial evidence, highlighting that no hitman would testify and that Daniel was raising a 13-year-old son with Brent. Liriano mentioned that Daniel sought $8 million instead of $6 million in the divorce. Brent's gallery showcased artists like Kara Walker, Vik Muniz, and Arturo Herrera.