Without these mistakes, would Steve Baekelmans have been incarcerated on May 4, 2019 and would the crimes against Julie have been avoided? The court judges, on the basis of a hypothetical reconstruction and ignoring the knowledge of the facts obtained subsequently, that there is no absolute certainty on this subject. However, these mistakes definitely deprived the Van Espen family of the opportunity to avoid the loss of their daughter/sister. Incorrect actions of the judiciary and the executive are a necessary condition for this loss of opportunity. The chance of avoiding the events of May 4, 2019 is 50%. The Belgian State is therefore responsible.
“There is unspeakable and irreparable suffering”
The Belgian state will not appeal its conviction by the Brussels criminal court for its responsibility in the rape and death of Julie Van Espen, the resigning Minister of Justice, Paul Van Tigchelt (Open VLD), said on Thursday. “There is unspeakable and irreparable suffering caused to Julie Van Espen and her family, and justice is responsible for it,” commented Mr. Van Tigchlet in reaction to the judgment pronounced Thursday. According to the Minister of Justice, the court confirmed what had been clear for a long time: “that errors were made. If these errors had not been made, this tragedy could undoubtedly have been avoided.” For Mr. Van Tigchelt, important steps have been taken since the death of Julie Van Espen in the fight against sexual violence. The minister cites in particular the new sexual penal code which provides for harsher penalties for perpetrators as well as treatment centers for victims of sexual violence. The backlog at the Antwerp Court of Appeal has also been cleared, he further argues.
