Kortenaken / Leuven –
On the final day of the Leuven assize trial of the neighbors quarrel in Kortenaken, the accused Roger Putseys (74) was briefly given the floor on Friday morning. He spoke directly to the relatives of the stabbed neighbor Luc Dams, who died at the hands of him on July 30, 2016. In tears he asked forgiveness from the widow and children of the stabbed para commando.
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“Marina, Eva, Maarten, I think it’s terrible what happened. Unfortunately I can’t turn back the clock. I regret it so much and can’t really put my feelings into words. I am very sorry that I did not get to know your papa Luc better. Know that I am terribly sorry. I would like to hug you, I also have children and grandchildren. I hope you can forgive me. I am not a man of many words, but from the bottom of my heart: I am deeply sorry. ”
His words fell to a cold stone in the hall. The relatives did not give much credence to his apology and especially see a lot of self-pity. Putseys also briefly addressed the twelve-member jury, which will have to decide his fate later today. “My fate is in your hands. I will accept what you decide. ”
The jury withdrew at 10 p.m. There are several scenarios on the table: guilty of manslaughter, guilty of murder, “only” guilty of provocation (in other words: a wrong act committed after being physically challenged by his neighbor) or even acquittal for the famous Article 71 (with other words: that Putseys who acted on July 30, 2016 out of “irresistible urge”). The wide range of sentences from acquittal to life imprisonment is therefore still on the table.
Later today, the accused will know his fate.
READ ALSO.Unexpected turn of trial stabbed para: neighbor Roger resolutely goes for acquittal (+)
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