A Belgian court has found Paolo Falzone guilty of seven counts of murder after he drove at high speed into a group of carnival participants in Strépy. According to local media reports, Falzone remained stoic during the reading of the verdict, while the passenger in his vehicle was convicted of failing to assist persons in danger.
- Defendant: Paolo Falzone
- Verdict: Guilty of seven murders
- Co-defendant: Passenger found guilty of non-assistance to persons in danger
- Incident: High-speed vehicle collision during a carnival in Strépy, Belgium
- Victims: A group of “Gilles” (traditional carnival figures)
The Courtroom Reaction in Strépy
The delivery of the verdict sparked contrasting emotional responses in the courtroom. According to reports from Le Soir, the families of the victims were moved to tears upon hearing the guilty verdict. In contrast, the publication described Falzone as remaining “de marbre,” or unmoved, as the court announced the decision.
Details of the Carnival Collision
The convictions stem from an incident where Falzone operated a vehicle at very high speeds, according to France 3 Régions. The car struck a group of “Gilles”—participants in a traditional Belgian carnival—resulting in seven deaths. While Falzone faced the murder charges, his passenger was found guilty of a separate charge for failing to provide assistance to the victims following the crash, as reported by RTBF.
What Penalty Paolo Falzone Now Faces
With the guilt phase of the trial concluded, the court must now determine the sentence. According to RTL Info, legal expectations suggest the penalty will likely lean toward the maximum allowable sentence under the law.
