Steve Bakelmans suspects of murder of Belgian student Julie van Espen
Steve Bakelmans is suspected of the rape and murder of Belgian student Julie van Espen. That is what a jury in the high court in Antwerp ruled tonight. It will be decided today which sentence the 41-year-old Bakelmans will receive, which may be lifelong.
The 23-year-old Van Espen disappeared 2.5 years ago all the way to the place Schilde got on his bike to go to friends in Antwerp. It was considered a felony. Bakelmans was known to the judiciary and the police – was seen on camera images and beatings. A few days later, Van Espen’s body was found during a search near the Albert Canal near Antwerp.
Bakelmans already confessed in 2019 that he was the perpetrator.
A jury of twelve conclusions Tuesday after a four-hour deliberation that Bakelmans was involved in the rape and murder of the woman. “Bakelmans obtained with the intent to kill. We can see that from the intensity of the injuries,” the court said. Belgian media.
“He strangled her several times, assaulted her until she gave no sign of life and left the crime scene only when he was sure she was dead.”
Criticism
In Belgium the case two years ago to criticism of justification. Bakelmans had been released twice before for rape but pending appeal in the last two years. People are wondering how that was possible. The Minister of Justice has also raised questions.
According to the profession of appeal in Antwerp the cause of the Langehofen were; there are too few judges.
In Antwerp, because of the murder of Van Espen, a silent march was held against sexual violence. About 15,000 people attended at the time. Celine also walked along, in this video she explained why: