The Liège Assize Court will begin the trial of Fabrice Luaza Mvuama on Wednesday at 2 p.m., accused of having committed the murder of Bradley Wawa Bologna, the five-year-old child of his partner Benamine Bologna. The latter will also appear before the Assize Court to answer charges of failure to assist her son.
The events took place on August 2, 2020 in Liège. Fabrice Luaza Mvuama, a 35-year-old Congolese, is suspected of having killed Bradley Wawa Bologna by punching him in the stomach. He is also accused of assault and battery on his partner. The latter, Benamine Bologna, an Italian aged 28, is accused of having failed to come to the aid of her son who was exposed to serious danger.
Suspicious death in hospital
The CHU des Bruyères hospital denounced the suspicious death of Bradley Wawa Bologna, who was dropped off in the hospital emergency room by Fabrice Luaza Mvuama on August 2, 2020. The child did not have a heartbeat and resuscitation had failed.
An initial diagnosis revealed that he had died of significant liver damage, following a liver fracture. Fabrice Luaza Mvuama had maintained that this injury was the result of a fall while cycling. But the investigation rebounded after statements from a relative of the child’s mother, who denounced acts of violence.
Fabrice Luaza Mvuama was then suspected of having become angry with the child, of having lost control and of having punched him violently in the stomach. He then mentioned the thesis of a fall while cycling, before going back on his statements and claiming an accidental fall on a chair.
The victim’s autopsy revealed that the child had received several blows to the abdominal area, consistent with kicks or punches. These significant injuries could also be explained by a fall while cycling, according to the medical examiner.
No assistance to the person in danger
Benamine Bologna is suspected of not having helped her child even though she knew he was being beaten and shouted at her. She would not have intervened for fear of violence from Fabrice Luaza Mvuama, who had already hit her several times between August 2019 and August 2020. This accused could suffer from limited intellectual functioning.
Fabrice Luaza Mvuama is accused of the murder of Bradley Wawa Bologna and intentional assault and battery on Benamine Bologna. He will be defended by Me Laurent Jaminon and Me Séverine Solfrini. Benamine Bologna is accused of failure to assist a person in danger and will be defended by Me Sandra Berbuto and Me Jean-Christophe Bouchoms. The substitute Xavier Montiel-Corte will serve as general counsel. The interests of the civil parties will be defended by Me Alexandre Wilmotte and Me Audrey Lamy.
The trial led by Philippe Gorlé is expected to last five days and will begin on Wednesday June 12 with the constitution of the jury. The proceedings on the merits will begin on Monday June 17 at 9 a.m. with the reading of the indictment.
