Carnival drama Strépy
Paolo Falzone received a 27-year prison sentence at the assize trial over the Strépy carnival drama. No mitigating circumstances were found. The jury described him as a “madman behind the wheel”. The perpetrator listened to the verdict stoically. Much to the dismay of the surviving relatives, his lawyer later tried to save an ankle bracelet.
Journalist at HLN
LOOK. “Paolo Falzone’s behavior requires a particularly deterrent sanction”
It would be a temporary arrangement, so that Falzone still has the space to arrange childcare for his son. “In the three years that he was under house arrest, there was never a problem,” lawyer Frank Discepoli argued. “There were never any signs that he wanted to evade justice or that he wanted to drive a vehicle. He also appeared at all hearings.”
“If you give me this opportunity, I promise to adhere to the conditions even more closely. You can trust me,” Falzone added. Those present in the room reacted indignantly, but were quickly called to order.
The court retired to deliberate on the question, but ultimately ordered his immediate arrest. The risk that he would still flee or get behind the wheel was estimated too high. The decision was greeted with applause.
The jury itself found no mitigating circumstances for Falzone. She highlighted his “contemptuous behavior towards human life”.
Discepoli called the sentence “in proportion to the seriousness of the facts”. “I know few people who have been convicted of such serious crimes and not received the maximum sentence.”
WATCH ALSO. “There was loud applause when it was announced that Falzone was immediately arrested”
174 km/h through the center
The man in his thirties was found guilty on Friday by the assize court in Bergen of manslaughter of seven people and of attempted manslaughter of 79 others. In 2022, he drove his BMW at 174 kilometers per hour through the center of the Walloon village and crashed into a group of carnival attendees.
The defense asked for a maximum prison sentence of 25 years. “A harsher punishment would be more like revenge than justice,” he said. “He does not have a violent character, has no criminal record and has always worked.”
Passenger gets two years probation
Passenger Antonino Falzone was given a two-year conditional sentence, meaning he will not have to go to jail. The jury convicted him of guilty negligence because he made no effort to help the victims after the accident. The Public Prosecution Service had demanded two years in prison against him.
The fact that he does not have to go to prison is a “huge relief” for Antonino, says his lawyer. “This is a balanced punishment,” said Fabrice Guttadauria. “This decision takes into account the seriousness of the crime, the consequences for the victims and also Antonino’s life story.”
“Return to anonymity”
“He had an impeccable record up to the time of the incident. Suddenly he found himself in completely exceptional circumstances. All he needs now is to return to anonymity.”
However, the lawyer has not yet ruled out that his client will file an appeal in cassation. The defense has fifteen days to do this.
The tension among the civil parties was less than before the judgment was pronounced. Manon Gara, the daughter of the deceased Laure, confirms this. “Whether it will be 24, 27 or 30 years… Due to the overcrowding in the prisons, we know that he will not serve his full sentence.”