Assize trial of robbery murder in Oostrozebeke has started

Nico T. (44) informed the emergency services himself on October 28, 2016, because he had not seen his neighbor for more than a day. A little later, the police in 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 slit. Due to his strange behavior, Nico T. quickly came into the eyes of the investigators as a suspect. It turned out that Roelens allegedly made advances to his daughter Melissa T. (27).

Nico T. 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 could have been the culprit.

In the meantime, the investigation focused on Nico T.’s relatives. Their statements showed that his daughter M. and his then 16-year-old son A. were present at the incident on the evening of October 27. His wife Christelle V. (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 friendly couple in Egem.

Shortly before the murder, Nico T. had also had several telephone contacts with Pedro B. (49). B. is said to have been called in to open the victim’s safe, but denies this. According to the public prosecutor’s office, at least 8,000 euros were stolen in this way.

The three accused were released conditionally after several months of pre-trial detention. After the jury has been selected, they must present themselves again to the prison in Bruges on Tuesday evening. A. was found guilty of robbery and murder by the special youth chamber of the Ghent Court of Appeal in 2019. As a result, he was in a closed institution until his 21st birthday.

During the assize process, Christelle V. will be defended by master Kris Vincke. Melissa T. is assisted by master Robbie Dewaele and master Maarten Vandermeersch. Master Filip De Reuse and Master Gregory Everaert act as lawyers for Pedro B.. Tom Janssens of the Kortrijk department of the West Flanders public prosecutor’s office takes on the role of public prosecutor.

Remarkably, the civil parties have not retained a lawyer. This means that the victim’s children will be allowed to ask the witnesses questions. During the oral arguments they will also be allowed to explain their position themselves. Their choice not to appoint a lawyer may therefore lead to some atypical situations. They were not present when the jury was drawn last Tuesday.

The trial starts with the reading of the indictment by the Attorney General. Afterwards, all accused will be extensively interrogated by chairman Antoon Boyen. From September 18, approximately 70 witnesses will be heard. The verdict is expected on Friday, September 22 at the earliest. In theory, the accused risk life imprisonment for complicity in robbery.