About 70 witnesses at trial about robbery in Oostrozebeke
Nico Torck (44) himself informed the emergency services on October 28, 2016, because he had not seen his neighbor for more than a day. A little later, the police of the Midow zone found the lifeless body of Roland Roelens.
It was immediately clear that the victim had been stabbed to death in his apartment. The medical examiner determined that the throat of the man in his sixties had been cut.
Diabetes
Due to his strange behavior, Nico Torck quickly came into the eye of the investigators as a suspect. It turned out that Roelens would have made advances to his daughter Melissa Torck (27). Nico Torck was arrested by the investigating judge on suspicion of murder, but continued to deny any involvement.
On November 2, the suspect was found dead on his bed in Bruges prison. Sudden complications from diabetes would have been the culprit.
8000 euros loot
Meanwhile, the investigation focused on Nico Torck’s relatives. Their statements showed that his daughter Melissa and his then 16-year-old son A. were present on the evening of October 27. His wife Christelle Vercaemst (52) stayed behind in their apartment and said she did not know that Roelens would be murdered.
That same evening she went with A. and her husband to a couple of friends in Egem. Shortly before the murder, Torck had also had several telephone contacts with Pedro Bouckaert (49). Bouckaert would have been called in to open the victim’s safe, but denies that. According to the public prosecutor’s office, at least 8,000 euros were stolen in this way.
Free under conditions
The three accused were released under conditions after several months in pre-trial detention. On the day of the jury composition, they will have to present themselves again in prison. A. was already found guilty of robbery in 2019 by the special youth chamber of the Ghent court of appeal. As a result, he was in a closed institution until his 21st birthday.
During the trial, Christelle Vercaemst will be defended by master Kris Vincke. Melissa Torck is assisted by master Robbie Dewaele and master Maarten Vandermeersch. Master Filip De Reuse and Master Gregory Everaert act as lawyers for Pedro Bouckaert. Tom Janssens of the Kortrijk branch of the West Flanders public prosecutor’s office takes on the role of public prosecutor.
Atypical situations
Surprisingly, the civil parties did not hire a lawyer. This means that the victim’s son and two daughters will be allowed to ask questions to the witnesses themselves. They will also be allowed to explain their point of view during the pleadings. Perhaps their choice not to appoint a lawyer to the process will therefore cause some atypical situations.
The trial will continue on Tuesday, September 12 at 2 p.m. with the composition of the people’s jury. On Friday morning, September 15, the Attorney General will read his bill of indictment. After that, all accused will be extensively interrogated by chairman Antoon Boyen. From September 18, approximately 70 witnesses will be heard.
In principle, the verdict is expected at the latest on Tuesday 26 September. In theory, the accused risk life imprisonment.