Sentenced in 2021
This legal case had aroused a lot of emotion and questions, especially in Flanders, about the slowness of the justice system in processing the case. Because when the perpetrator, Steve Bakelmans, raped and then murdered the 23-year-old girl in May 2019, he was appealing a conviction dating from 2017 for rape. An element which aroused the ire of the population in Antwerp, where 15,000 people gathered a few days after the events.
Three years later, on December 13, 2021, the trial of Steve Bakelmans was held before the Antwerp Assize Court. On December 22, he was sentenced to life imprisonment.
But another legal aspect of the case opens this Thursday, this time, before the court of first instance of Brussels since it is the family of Julie Van Espen who is, here, facing the Belgian State, pointing out the management of Steve Bakelmans’ file by the courts.
Julie Van Espen case: “We all want stronger justice”
A problematic lack of communication
In 2017, the Antwerp criminal court sentenced Steve Bakelmans to four years in prison for rape. But his immediate arrest had not been ordered. He appealed his conviction and while awaiting an appeal judgment, Steve Bakelmans was released. The case was not considered a priority at the court of appeal.
On May 4, 2019, the day of Julie Van Espen’s assassination in Merksem, the file was still not processed.
According to the lawyer for Julie Van Espen’s family, the lack of computerization, communication and personnel in the justice system notably created the circumstances which led to the death of Julie Van Espen. The victim’s relatives want the court to establish these errors and award compensation, which will be donated to a good cause.
The Belgian State, however, disputes any error and sees no causal link with the student’s death.
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