The Hainaut Assize Court pronounced, Thursday evening, the guilt of Pascal Anique for the murder of his partner, Marie Mascaux committed in Courcelles, the night of December 26 to 27, 2021. The jury did not accept the aggravating circumstance of premeditation.
That night, Pascal Anique beat Marie Mascaux at her home in Courcelles. He beat her with his fists.
For the jurors, the intention of homicide is established by different elements: the location of the blows (the head), the number of blows, the violence exerted, the difference in size and weight between the protagonists, the drops of blood and pieces of flesh projected on the walls and ceiling, proof of the relentlessness and determination shown by the condemned.
He also used a strangulation maneuver resulting in suffocation by pressure in the victim. According to the jurors, he accepted the horrible and predictable consequences of his actions.
On the other hand, the jurors did not accept the aggravating circumstance of premeditation, due to the fragility of the testimonies and the usual mode of operation of the accused, who prefers action to reflection.
He was also found guilty of beating his partner between January 2018 and November 2021, on several occasions. It was not disputed.
Finally, he is guilty of beating Marie Mascaux on November 18, 2021. He was placed under arrest warrant and released under conditions on December 14, 2021. While the investigating judge had prohibited him from seeing the victim again, they quickly got back in touch.
The sentencing debate will take place on Friday.
