The court ultimately acquitted Baronie of accidental killing on November 24. It was noted that the victim should have known that the Allen key was live. His actions were therefore described as life-threatening and incomprehensible.
According to the court, his motives were not sufficiently investigated. The defendant did receive a suspension of sentence for some safety violations, such as the lack of risk analyses. According to the judges, these violations were not causally related to the fatal outcome.
The labor prosecutor has now appealed against the acquittal. The Ghent Court of Appeal will therefore have to consider the case.