Belgian prosecutors urge life sentence for paedophile

BRUSSELS – Prosecutors called yesterday for convicted paedophile Marc Dutroux to spend the rest of his life behind bars for multiple counts of child rape and murder that made him the most reviled man in Belgium.

A jury on Thursday found Dutroux guilty of three murders and a series of rapes and abductions in 1995-96, wrapping up more than three months of shocking testimony that was dubbed Belgium’s “trial of the century.” Defense attorneys were to enter pleas later yesterday before the 12-member jury and three-judge panel retired to determine sentencing, expected as early as todayy, court spokesman Nico Snelders said.Dutroux, a 47-year-old unemployed electrician, was convicted of abducting, imprisoning and raping six girls in 1995-96.He also was found guilty of murdering two of the girls, 17-year-old An Marchal and 19-year-old Eefje Lambrecks, as well as an accomplice, Bernard Weinstein.Their bodies were found buried on his property, which featured a specially built basement cell where the victims had been imprisoned.The jury found Dutroux guilty of involvement in the abduction of two 8-year-olds, Julie Lejeune and Melissa Russo – the first to disappear – while his ex-wife and co-defendant, Michelle Martin, was convicted of imprisonment leading to their deaths.Prosecutors’ requested a 30-year prison term for Martin and another man, Michel Lelievre, who was convicted for kidnapping and imprisoning the girls, as well as for drug trafficking.During the trial, Dutroux sought to portray himself as a “small fry” taking orders from an international crime gang with high-level clients – with businessman Michel Nihoul as his link.Nihoul, the final co-defendant, was convicted of smuggling drugs and people into Belgium, but was acquitted of involvement in the abductions.Prosecutors yesterday urged a sentence of at least 10 years in prison.Dutroux’s trial stunned and outraged Belgium by uncovering bungled police work following his arrest.In 1996, about 300 000 people took to the streets of Brussels – the country’s biggest postwar demonstrations.The nation was shocked to learn that police searched his house in 1995 but failed to find the secret cell, even though they heard voices.A second search also was unsuccessful.Dutroux faces up to life in prison, Martin and Lelievre up to 35 years, and Nihoul up to 25 years.- Nampa-APDefense attorneys were to enter pleas later yesterday before the 12-member jury and three-judge panel retired to determine sentencing, expected as early as todayy, court spokesman Nico Snelders said.Dutroux, a 47-year-old unemployed electrician, was convicted of abducting, imprisoning and raping six girls in 1995-96.He also was found guilty of murdering two of the girls, 17-year-old An Marchal and 19-year-old Eefje Lambrecks, as well as an accomplice, Bernard Weinstein.Their bodies were found buried on his property, which featured a specially built basement cell where the victims had been imprisoned.The jury found Dutroux guilty of involvement in the abduction of two 8-year-olds, Julie Lejeune and Melissa Russo – the first to disappear – while his ex-wife and co-defendant, Michelle Martin, was convicted of imprisonment leading to their deaths.Prosecutors’ requested a 30-year prison term for Martin and another man, Michel Lelievre, who was convicted for kidnapping and imprisoning the girls, as well as for drug trafficking.During the trial, Dutroux sought to portray himself as a “small fry” taking orders from an international crime gang with high-level clients – with businessman Michel Nihoul as his link.Nihoul, the final co-defendant, was convicted of smuggling drugs and people into Belgium, but was acquitted of involvement in the abductions.Prosecutors yesterday urged a sentence of at least 10 years in prison.Dutroux’s trial stunned and outraged Belgium by uncovering bungled police work following his arrest.In 1996, about 300 000 people took to the streets of Brussels – the country’s biggest postwar demonstrations.The nation was shocked to learn that police searched his house in 1995 but failed to find the secret cell, even though they heard voices.A second search also was unsuccessful.Dutroux faces up to life in prison, Martin and Lelievre up to 35 years, and Nihoul up to 25 years.- Nampa-AP