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🇧🇪 Belgium /Crime & Justice

“My legs are cut off”: Falzone’s words spark outrage during emotional trial testimony

From La Libre Belgique · () French

Translated from French and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Testimonies at the trial of Paolo Falzone, accused of vehicular homicide during a carnival, have deeply moved the court and victims' families.
  • Witnesses described the horrific moments when Falzone's car struck a group of carnival participants at high speed.
  • The emotional accounts detailed the severe injuries sustained by victims and the profound grief of their loved ones.

The trial of Paolo Falzone, accused in the tragic events of March 20, 2022, in Strépy-Bracquegnies, has entered a deeply emotional phase as witnesses recount the horrific night. The court heard harrowing testimonies from individuals who were present when Falzone's BMW, reportedly traveling at over 170 km/h, plowed into a group of carnival participants. The stark contrast between the festive atmosphere moments before and the ensuing chaos has left a profound impact on all involved.

I hear a car... I turn my head, I see a car. I think he's going to brake... but he doesn't brake. It's a horrible noise, like a bowling ball. I see him continue and stop a hundred meters further, then continue his route.

· OlivierDescribing the moment Falzone's car struck the group.

Nicole and Olivier, parents of Florian, a young man severely injured in the incident, shared their agonizing experience. They described the sudden shift from celebration to terror, the horrifying sounds, and the desperate search for their loved ones amidst the carnage. Olivier, a police officer, recounted his immediate actions to provide first aid to his son, a testament to his training amidst unimaginable personal distress. Nicole’s search for their goddaughter Amélie and friend Laure Gara led to the devastating discovery of their critical injuries and, in Laure's case, her death.

She had a lot of pain. For me, her legs are crushed.

· NicoleDescribing her goddaughter Amélie's severe injuries.

The courtroom was visibly affected by the raw emotion and detailed accounts of the victims' suffering. The phrase "J’en ai les jambes coupées" (My legs are cut off), reportedly uttered by Falzone after witnessing the devastation, has drawn particular ire and condemnation from the public and victims' families, underscoring the perceived lack of empathy. These testimonies not only serve to establish the facts of the case but also powerfully convey the immense human cost of the tragedy, highlighting the profound grief and the quest for justice that continues to grip the community.

I lost my confidante, my friend, my soulmate.

· NicoleMourning the loss of her friend Laure Gara.
About this summary

Originally published by La Libre Belgique in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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