Nivelles assize court turns to Nicolas Ullens' sentence after a month-long pause
The former State Security agent was found guilty in October of murdering his stepmother; a sentence could come as early as today.
The Walloon Brabant assize court in Nivelles resumes the trial of Nicolas Ullens (61) at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, La Libre reports. On 6 October the jury found him guilty of the murder of his stepmother, Baroness Myriam Lechien (70), who was shot six times in Ohain (Lasne) in March 2023. Ullens, a former State Security agent, admitted the facts but disputed that he acted with premeditation. According to RTBF, he spoke of a family dispute over money and property.
The trial had been on hold for almost a month. On premeditation, seven jurors voted in favour and five against, after which the three professional judges sided with the majority, VRT NWS explained. Lawyer Jean-Philippe Mayence argued that the court could only weigh in on the main question and sought the judges' removal. The Court of Cassation rejected that request on 21 October, so the same judges can finish the trial.
Advocate General Laure Wynants opens with her sentencing submissions, followed by the defence, La Libre writes. Ullens faces life imprisonment, but the jury and court may accept mitigating circumstances. According to RTBF, it first has to be established whether all twelve jurors are still available; otherwise substitutes will be called. A decision on the sentence could come later today.