Convicted Farmer in 'Manhole Cover Murder' Released Early with Ankle Monitor

Jos Van Ouwenhuysen, a 64-year-old pig farmer, has been released from prison with an electronic ankle monitor after serving three years of a 14-year sentence for the murder of Paul Boeye. The crime, dubbed the 'manhole cover murder,' occurred in Gierle in 2017. The victim's family has expressed their strong dissatisfaction with Van Ouwenhuysen's early release, deeming the original sentence insufficient.

Van Ouwenhuysen was convicted of killing Paul Boeye, who had purchased the pig farm from Van Ouwenhuysen a year prior. Van Ouwenhuysen, who had gone bankrupt, was then renting the farm back from Boeye. The farmer claimed Boeye died when a heavy manhole cover fell on his head as he was inspecting a water pump in a well. However, Van Ouwenhuysen provided inconsistent accounts of the incident to his wife and to paramedics.

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The relatives have always found the sentence too lenient.

The jury found Van Ouwenhuysen's explanations to be inconsistent and unbelievable. An autopsy revealed that Boeye sustained multiple lacerations to his head, which the jury concluded could not have resulted from a single fall of a manhole cover. Forensic reconstructions of the crime scene also contradicted Van Ouwenhuysen's version of events.

Initially, the prosecution sought a 19-year sentence, but the court imposed 14 years, taking into account mitigating factors such as Van Ouwenhuysen's age, clean criminal record, and good behavior. The victim's family, represented by their lawyer Joris Vercraeye, has consistently argued that the sentence was too lenient. Van Ouwenhuysen's lawyer, Walter Damen, defended the release, stating that his client met all conditions for electronic monitoring and that the decision by the sentence execution court was justified and logical given the strict conditions imposed.

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His living plan and all the conditions regarding electronic supervision were perfectly in order. It is therefore a logical step. People can be happy that a sentence execution court imposes strict conditions. If they are met, it seems only logical that everyone accepts this step.