The Strépy-Bracquegnies driver is now being prosecuted for murder. The facts were requalified by the Council Chamber for one of the victims. Explanations.
Gathered on Friday the Tournai council chamber has reclassified the facts against Paolo Falzone, hitherto qualified as manslaughter. The 30-year-old is now being prosecuted for murder concerning one of the victims, and manslaughter for the others. This was indicated by the Tournai prosecutor’s office on Sunday evening.
For those close to Frédéric d’Andrea, this requalification was necessary. His brother, Nicolas d’Andrea, testifies for RTLINFO: “I am relieved for my family but at the same time, we remain unsatisfied for the other victims. There was my brother in the 6 victims, but the 5 others are real too. This requalification satisfies us but leaves us with a little taste bitter for the other 5 victims.”
The decision to reclassify the facts was taken on the basis of the file. Each phase of the accident is scrupulously analysed, in particular thanks to images filmed by surveillance cameras and testimonies.
“In this context, it was noted by the Council Chamber that during one of these phases, the behavior of the accused could correspond more to that of the commission of a murder rather than an involuntary homicide” , details Damien Verheyen, Deputy Public Prosecutor of Mons.
As a reminder, before losing his life, Frédéric saved a 12-year-old child and sacrificed himself for him.
For the driver of the drama, Paolo Falzone, the requalification of the facts has two consequences.
“From now on, the maintenance of preventive detention will be examined in the light of the absolute necessity for public security to keep the accused in detention. And the other consequence is in relation to the trial which may, if necessary, take place. before an assize court”specifies the Substitute.
A long and painful investigation for the relatives of the victims: “We know that we will not be able to mourn properly until all of this is over. These are difficult deadlines for me, for the other relatives of the victims. We try to share as many exchanges as possible with the others, but these are stages that are long and difficult, and there is a wait”, deplores Nicolas d’Andrea.
Within 15 days, the Indictment Chamber will also have to rule on the release of Paolo Falzone on an electronic bracelet.