Appeal to cassation for Paolo Falzone: his lawyer contests intent to kill
Paolo Falzone's lawyer has filed an appeal to cassation following his conviction in the Strépy-Bracquegnies case. The intent to cause death would be at the heart of the defence arguments.
Falzone in cassation: defence denies intent to kill
Paolo Falzone's lawyer has formally filed an appeal to cassation against his client's conviction, according to several Belgian media outlets including Google News BE FR. The case concerns the Strépy-Bracquegnies tragedy, which had deeply affected public opinion.
The central argument of the defence is based on the question of intent. Maître Discepoli maintains that "the intent to cause death is not established" — a decisive legal element for the qualification of charges against Falzone.
The filing of the appeal has been confirmed by several sources, including rtl.be, La Libre.be, Antenne Centre, RTBF and 7sur7.be. The Court of Cassation must now examine whether the procedure and law were correctly applied during the appeal trial.
An appeal to cassation does not constitute a third judgment on the merits: the supreme court only monitors the legality of the decision being challenged, without re-examining the facts. If cassation is granted, the case would be referred back to another court of appeal.
Source: Google News BE FR