More than 100 witnesses speak at assize trial Alexander D.

On July 25, 2017, the Dutchman robbed his ex-girlfriend and her grandparents of life in Moere. The accused is also on trial for the murder and torture of a Ghent photographer.

On Tuesday evening, July 25, 2017, Alexander Dean went to the home of Maïlys Descamps (18) in Moere, a borough of Gistel. There he killed his ex-girlfriend with a stab in the chest. Her grandparents Gery Cappon (68) and Marie-José Vanleene (64) were also stabbed to death. Police were called to a hostage situation by a neighbor, but the accused had just fled.

It was not until the eve of July 26 that Alexander Dean was caught by chance. The bodybuilder was recognized by a security guard in a supermarket in the center of Ostend.

Meanwhile, the investigators had made a connection with a murder on the night of 24 to 25 July in Sint-Amandsberg. After all, Jeroen Verstraete was killed with a stab in the heart, just like Maïlys. In addition, it turned out that the girl had posed for the photographer several times, which apparently was not to the liking of the bodybuilder.

The accused confessed to the four murders a few days after his arrest. Not much later, the Ghent file was transferred to Bruges. When referring to the court of assize, the lawyer of the Verstraete family successfully requested that torture be included as an additional qualification. After all, the victim was held in horrific conditions for eight hours before his death.

At the preliminary hearing on Wednesday afternoon, it appeared that the Public Prosecution Service (OM) wanted to have 84 witnesses called. According to chairman Willem De Pauw, all parties even wanted to hear about 115 witnesses in total. He especially questioned the extra witnesses about the morality of Maïlys’ grandparents. “My client is concerned that her parents would otherwise not be discussed at all,” responded master Kris Vincke.

In the end, the civil party did waive two witnesses, including a neighbor. The brothers of Cappon and Vanleene were then removed from the list of the Public Prosecution Service, because they had actually had no contact with the victims for a long time. Finally, the defense did not press for the testimony of the prison chaplain who will accompany Dean through the trial. They did ask that the mother and sister of the accused be called as witnesses.

During the trial, Alexander Dean is defended by master Johan Platteau and master Brecht Horsten. Master Jef Vermassen acts as civil party for Maïlys Descamps’ father. Her godfather is assisted by master Virginie Cottyn. Master Kris Vincke instituted civil proceedings for Jasmijn Cappon, who lost her daughter and both her parents in the incident. The interests of the Verstraete family are defended by master Natalie Aernoudts.

The chairman will make a decision on the witness list on 9 March at 2 pm. The process will then continue on Tuesday 3 May with the composition of the people’s jury. On Friday, May 6, Attorney General Serge Malefason will read his voluminous indictment. The process may take two weeks. Alexander Dean faces life imprisonment.