Jean-Marc Connerotte
Jean-Marc Connerotte (born 1948) in Neufchâteau, Belgium is an examining magistrate and judge known for his role in the Dutroux case.
Biography
[edit]Connerotte entered bar association of Tournai in 1979.[1]
He was responsible for the investigation into the assassination of André Cools in 1994.[citation needed]
In October 1996, Connerotte was removed from the investigation of Dutroux by the Court of Cassation. His impartiality was impaired because he had attended a fund-raising dinner for the families of the victims of Marc Dutroux. There he had received a pen and a bowl of spaghetti as a gift.[2] The affair became known as the "spaghetti affair" in Belgium. His removal from the case sparked national outrage in Belgium. He was considered a good judge as his decisions had led to the rescue of two of Dutrouxs victims. Over 300,000 people protested his removal and other errors in the investigation during the White March in October 1996 in Brussels.[citation needed]
Theories
[edit]According to Connerotte the close protection he was subjected to in the Dutroux[3] affair, under the pretext that a "kill contract" was on him, was only present to watch him and put him under pressure. After he was removed from the case he wasn't granted any protection anymore.[3]
He said that his attempts to find evidence concerning Michel Nihoul (alleged accomplice of Dutroux) were met with reluctance.[3]
Connerotte was convinced of the involvement of Michel Nihoul in the abduction of Laetitia Delhez and also thought that he was the leader of a child abduction operation by Dutroux.[4]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Qu'est-il devenu ? Jean-Marc Connerotte, par Michel Petit, 14 août 2003 Le Soir
- ^ Les manifestations se sont multipliées dans le pays. Affaire Dutroux: la Belgique soutient le juge dessaisi., 15 October 1996, par EPHIMENCO Sylvain[permanent dead link] Libération (journal)
- ^ a b c http://www.dhnet.be/infos/faits-divers/article/95839/les-larmes-du-juge-connerotte.html Les larmes du juge Connerotte, 05/3/2004, par Michaël Kaibeck, La Dernière heure
- ^ Belgium's silent heart of darkness, Olenka Frenkiel, 5 mai 2002 The Guardian