Leuven (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): Michel B. was arrested for allegedly setting his wife Eveline on fire leading to her death. He denies the charges and his lawyer is appealing to secure his release.
Eveline Thelen who lived with her husband in Tweede Straat got badly burned about a month and a half ago. She was quickly taken to the burns center in Leuven where doctors said she was in critical condition and might not survive because her injuries were so severe. Eveline survived and woke up from her coma a few weeks ago. She’s still in a serious condition and is being closely watched in the ICU.
Was Michel B. involved in the fire that led to Eveline Thelen’s death?
The police and the prosecutor were told about a fire set by a woman who said her husband Michel B. was involved. Her words were important for the case so the police acted fast. Michel B. who is fifty was arrested soon after the fire and held for possible attempted murder based on the first findings. Even though they accused him. Michel B. keeps saying he didn’t do the fire or try to kill anyone. The police are still looking into it trying to find more proof and statements to figure out if he really did it or not.
Michel B.’s wife Eveline Thelen passed away in the hospital last weekend due to severe burns. This situation has changed things for Michel B. He was brought before the court in Tongeren last Tuesday and now they suspect him of murder because his wife has died. Michel B. still denies setting his wife on fire just like before. His lawyer Ysbert Drees said that Michel B. is very affected by his wife’s death and denies any involvement in her death.
The lawyer Ysbert Drees is fighting against the court’s decision to keep his client in jail for another month. He thinks there are important details in the case that could help his client but the court didn’t think about them enough before. Ysbert Drees wants to challenge this decision and try to get a better result for his client. The appeal will be looked at by a different court in Antwerp in the next two weeks. They will carefully check the case and listen to what Drees has to say hoping to change the previous decision. The result of this appeal will decide if they keep the person in jail longer or change it based on the new information and arguments.
