Ghent court opens main hearing in Dean death case

The main hearing in the case over the death of four-year-old Dean began in Ghent on Thursday, 8 October, according to ANP and NOS. Two defendants face allegations arising from his death, with a jury due to consider their guilt alongside judges. [2] [3]

ANP reports that Belgian prosecutors accuse Dave De K. of violently killing Dean and suspect Romy W. of kidnapping resulting in death. During the investigation, W. maintained her innocence and said she had nothing to do with the boy’s death, according to ANP. [2]

Descriptions of the allegations differ. The court’s timetable calls it a murder case but does not set out a separate allegation against each defendant. NOS, citing Omroep Zeeland, describes De K. as suspected of kidnapping and manslaughter and W. as suspected of complicity in kidnapping. [1] [3]

The court had scheduled jury selection for 5 October. ANP says two prosecution representatives began reading a 120-page indictment at the hearing. Dean was found dead at Neeltje Jans in Zeeland on 17 January 2022. [1] [2]