It was October 15, 2021. That day, Caroline died in front of her apartment. Athena, the sister of one of his neighbors, had attacked him because of a conflict with her brother, Tarsis. The young woman had received numerous punches before having her head hit five times against the concrete. Athena had then dragged and left Caroline, dying, in the apartment.
Athena was sentenced to 17 years in prison several months ago. But now it’s Chelsea, Tarsis and Jelle’s turn to go to court. “They could, each in their own way, have put an end to the consequences of the blows and kicks which led to Caroline’s death,” said prosecutor Patty T’Jonck. “By calling for help or informing the officers on scene that a woman was in distress when they almost ran into her. Then Caroline could have been saved. Why didn’t they do it? It’s just about taking responsibility. It’s not possible to walk away and pretend everything is okay. »
“If something happens, I always run away”
That evening, Chelsea was at home at the time of the incident. “I was panicked and I was very scared,” she confided, according to HLN. “I was dragged into this affair against my will. I have to try to live with what I saw every day. This keeps repeating itself in my head. Athena told me to shut up. But there is nothing wrong with me, I still have a clean criminal record. If something happens, I always run away. But anyone in my position would have reacted the same way. »
Warned by Chelsea, Tarsis and Jelle rushed to the building. “If I had a cell phone with me, I might have called the emergency services,” Jelle added. “When we came across the police, I was afraid that Athena would hear us. That’s why I didn’t say anything at the time. But as soon as we arrived at Chelsea’s apartment, we called the emergency services. »
The three young people were judged this Tuesday guilty of negligence. “You could and should have done more,” said the judge. Tarsis received 6 months in prison. Chelsea and Jelle others got off with a suspended sentence, therefore without sanction. “You have a great opportunity. I hope you will grab them with both hands,” the judge concluded.
Belgium
