Belgian Woman Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Murder

A Belgian woman has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after a jury at the Antwerp Assize Court found her guilty of murdering Belgian national Robert De Tremer.

The lengthy trial included testimony from experts and witnesses, as well as arguments from both the prosecution and defense.

The jury held Caroline De Schinay fully responsible for the killing. In addition to the 30-year prison sentence, the court ordered her to remain under judicial supervision for another 15 years after completing her sentence.

The measure, known in Dutch as “terbeschikkingstelling,” can be imposed in serious cases when a court believes an offender may continue to pose a danger to society. It allows authorities to monitor the person even after their prison sentence has ended.

The atmosphere in the courtroom was tense as the verdict and sentence were announced. De Schinay appeared visibly nervous while listening to the decision. She was later taken out of the courtroom under heavy security.

What Happened on the Day of the Murder?

The murder took place on June 27, 2022, in Herselt, in Antwerp province.

According to the jury, Caroline De Schinay deliberately attacked Robert De Tremer with a sharp knife, stabbing him several times in vital areas of his body.

The prosecution argued that the attack was planned in advance. De Schinay had reportedly watched the victim through a night-vision scope and brought the knife with her.

The victim suffered multiple stab wounds, including an injury to his left lung. He lost a large amount of blood and eventually died from severe bleeding.

The jury concluded that the attack could not have been an accident and that De Schinay had acted with the intention of killing him.

She had also reportedly told a neighbor that she was going to kill Robert and that he might later have to contact the police. The neighbor initially believed she was joking.

According to the jury, taking the knife with her and monitoring the victim with a night-vision scope showed that she had planned the attack. She had enough time to reconsider her actions but ultimately decided to carry out the plan.

The jury reached its decision after only about two and a half hours of deliberation.