Father-in-law confesses to murder “because his family is threatened”
The painter hopes that his wife and family will now be left alone. A second reconstruction of the murder will follow soon, later the court of assizes.
On Sunday evening, July 17, Stephane V. shoots his son-in-law Mario dead, On the towpath along the Yser in Stuivekenskerke. Eight bullets end up in the body of the plumber from Koekelare, four others miss their target. For seven months, Stephane V stubbornly denies the shooting. But after a failed attempt to get out on bail and a bad lie detector test, he made confessions yesterday. Bram Elyn, lawyer Stephane V. : “It is the threats to the family that have been decisive. Because he cannot fulfill his protected role as father and partner from prison. He also definitely wants to send a signal to the next of kin that he wants to take up his responsibilities and that those people can expect answers from him at the trial.”
Second reconstruction
Ten days after the facts, there was already a reconstruction with the suspect. After yesterday’s confessions, a second one will soon follow. The gun used is still missing. “First there was a trajectory reconstruction to check whether he had actually completed the trajectory as suspected by the police and investigating judge. Now a second reconstruction follows at the crime scene where he will have to show his actions and the shots to the investigators.”
Stephane V. is from the Lille area and was married for more than 30 years. A big guy with tattoos who could often be found in the gym, but also in the shooting club. In the hours before the fatal shooting, the painter was still paddling in the North Sea. “He was present on the beach with his wife, which will also clearly indicate that he had absolutely no intention to kill his son-in-law that day. The fact that he committed very drastic acts against his son-in-law there is absolutely not consistent with his character and personality. That in itself is a very gentle and sweet man.”
Stephane would increasingly have to play courier for his son-in-law Mario to deliver drugs. The man wanted to stop doing that, and he went crazy in Stuivekenskerke.