Jury is being selected in a robbery murder case in Oostrozebeke
Roland Roelens (66) had his throat slit in October 2016, but Nico T., the suspected perpetrator, died. His wife, their daughter and an acquaintance still have to answer for their part in the facts.
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.
Diabetes
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 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 could have been the culprit.
8000 euros loot
Meanwhile, the investigation focused on Nico T.’s relatives. Their statements showed that his daughter Melissa 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, 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.
Free under conditions
The three accused were released conditionally after several months of pre-trial detention. 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.
Atypical situations
Remarkably, the civil parties have not retained a lawyer. This means that the victim’s son and two daughters will be allowed to ask the witnesses questions. During the oral arguments they will also be allowed to explain their position themselves. Perhaps their choice not to appoint a lawyer at the trial will lead to some atypical situations.
The trial continues today at 2 p.m. with the composition of the people’s jury. On Friday morning, September 15, the Attorney General will read his indictment. Afterwards, all accused will be extensively interrogated by chairman Antoon Boyen. From September 18, approximately 70 witnesses will be heard.
The ruling is in principle expected on Tuesday, September 26 at the latest. In theory, the accused risk life in prison.