the victims will receive compensation of a maximum of 100,000 euros, says Maître Mainz

Me Mayence, the lawyer for the victims of the Strépy tragedy, does not believe in an accident: “One can wonder if it was not a trip which consisted of running into people”


5 days before the first anniversary of the Strépy tragedy, the victims’ lawyer comes out of his reserve. Jean-Philippe Mayence does not believe in an accident, he evokes the “murderous intentions” of Paolo Falzone and his trial.

Maître Mayence welcomes us to his office in the center of Charleroi. It is here that he worked on the biggest criminal cases in the country and it is from here that he now tries to support more than 50 victims of Paolo Falzone. If the driver’s lawyer often speaks in the media, Me Mayence has chosen discretion. If he agrees to confide in Sudinfo in a long video interview, it is to “keep a certain balance” he says.


As a civil party lawyer, you have limited access to the file, but you confirm that Paolo Falzone was driving at 160 km/h while filming himself.

I am bound by the secrecy of the instruction but I can answer you on a certain number of points. I can confirm that he filmed himself while driving at very high speed. He even filmed himself at the moment of impact. So we have certainty regarding location, impact and speed.


What is your job as a civil party lawyer? Recover as much money as possible or get the heaviest sentence?

The role of the civil party is not to ask for a sentence. In the Assize Court, when someone is found guilty, the civil parties do not have a say in the sentence. It is true that the essential for us is compensation but also the fair qualification of the facts.


Apparently you have decided. You’re de facto saying it’s murder. If it’s a murder it’s the popular jury and the assizes.

When you imagine that someone is filming himself when he unquestionably and voluntarily hits a person at more than 120 km/h, what do you want as a result other than death? The result was obtained as it was sought. Whether there is a person for whom we hold a murder or six, it will not change anything, the assize court will have jurisdiction. In terms of penalty, instead of 5 years for an accident, we can consider a penalty of up to 30 years. I am not attached to the pain but, for the families, it is important.


For 1 of the 6 deceased victims, dragged several meters, the facts were reclassified as murder rather than manslaughter. Do you think it was under pressure, to leave Paolo Falzone in prison?

No, within the framework of the instruction a major element appeared. For this victim, he stopped to drop it and then he accelerated to roll over. Murder is obvious. I will go, I say it already, much further. I want voluntary homicide to be retained for all of the victims. When you decide to go for it knowing the area perfectly, it’s hard to argue that you don’t accept the idea of ​​being able to cause death.


Was there a passenger in the car, is he important to you or is the central character the driver?

In terms of criminal liability it is important. We will need elements to assess its exact role. When you hear the videos you also hear the music, rap which is very strong.


Was he sleeping or not?

It’s impossible to sleep with the music they were listening to. At the trial, people will realize what it’s like to film themselves when you approach people. When you hear the type of music it is, you might even wonder if these two people decided to have a trip that consisted of running into people. It remains an option.


Is it a truth or is it a reflection?

It’s an intellectual journey that allows me to try to understand how one can do such a thing. Where can this come from ? They are two, are they two who want it and accept it?

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