Under Suspicion: Uncovering The Wesphael Case

[dubbel zout]

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This Netflix docuseries follows the high-profile case of Belgian politician Bernard Wesphael, who was accused of murdering his wife in 2013.

 

[dubbel zout]

Well, this was creepy. I really don't know what to think about the verdict.

I cannot get over the fact that the wife's lover's name was Oswald de Cock. That is AMAZING.

[Birnam Wood]

Just finished this.

I didn't know much about the case other than being dimly aware that he had been acquitted. At first, I was positive that he was guilty, because Mon Dieu, does Bernard Westphael ever have Resting Smarm Face (honestly, how does he attract all of these beautiful women?).

By the end, I really wasn't sure. It's clear that his wife had a lot of issues, and her death definitely could have been accidental. Awfully convenient for him, though, that he just happened to go to sleep -- I loved his one friend who said that was exactly the sort of idiotic thing he would do -- right around the time she breathed her last. And yes, "Oswald de Cock." That is a porn star name if ever I heard one.

I was sailing merrily along without the subtitles (I actually didn't realize this was going to be in French, but I'm fluent, so it was a nice chance to practice) right up until the point that the young couple who heard ALL THE SEX appeared onscreen and started jabbering in what I assume was Flemish. Belgium is a weird country, man.

[dubbel zout]

2 hours ago, Birnam Wood said:

Mon Dieu, does Bernard Westphael ever have Resting Smarm Face (honestly, how does he attract all of these beautiful women?).

I thought the exact same thing! And then when he sees de Cock for the first time and is amazed someone who looked like him could be with his wife, I thought he killed his wife out of jealousy/anger for the affair with what he considered an ugly man. The nerve!

But yeah, the wife had a boatload of issues. I think the trial was botched, too, with the civil and crown prosecutors on different pages with motive. That part of things was a bit confusing for me.

Overall I thought the story could have been told more clearly, but the case itself was kind of a mess.

[hurrrz]

On 3/29/2021 at 5:53 AM, Birnam Wood said:

I was sailing merrily along without the subtitles (I actually didn't realize this was going to be in French, but I'm fluent, so it was a nice chance to practice) right up until the point that the young couple who heard ALL THE SEX appeared onscreen and started jabbering in what I assume was Flemish. Belgium is a weird country, man.

I had one year of French and my mother tongue is German. This was a trip for me. I could make out some of the french words, and a lot of the (I assume Dutch, but I don't really know). Belgium is a strange country, for sure. But can you be mad at a country that is famous for their Fries and Waffles? I can't. :D 

[dubbel zout]

Years ago I got an amazing airfare to Brussels that was so cheap (less than $300) I had to take it. I had frites met saus at least once a day. It. was. bliss.

I prefer the larger, thinner America waffle when it comes to breakfast waffles, but I do like the crispy cookie-type waffles.

[Birnam Wood]

I kept thinking of the Monty Python sketch in which they proclaimed that "Belgium" was the rudest word in English.

The ins and outs of the Belgian legal system baffle me. How is it possible that the civil and the crown prosecution were basically pursuing two completely different cases? And the judge was okay with that? No wonder Westphael was acquitted.

Also, based on the pictures, I... actually though de Cock was better-looking than Westphael. *shrugs*

[truthaboutluv]

On 4/7/2021 at 10:03 AM, Birnam Wood said:

Also, based on the pictures, I... actually though de Cock was better-looking than Westphael. *shrugs*

Maybe he was but dude was a complete psycho. What kind of therapist, one who supposedly specializes in sex/incest trauma issues tell a woman who was the victim of rape to basically kill herself, writes weird ass Daddy porn kink to her. Seriously, the fuck?

I finished all the episodes today and while I completely see how Wesphal could have done it and I agree with the above that there was definitely a certain smarm about him, I also think there was enough reasonable doubt that made his acquittal make sense. 

None of the medical experts could confidently say there was no way the mix of alcohol and drugs could have killed Veronique, evidence was apparently moved or not recorded accordingly and then was the lover of the porn name. Learning more about that guy and what I suspect was a pretty fucked up relationship with Veronique, I can absolutely believe something was said during one of those many calls she made that night that made her ultimately take her life. Especially if you add the existing issues with her and Bernard. 

Definitely an odd case but more than anything, a sad case, because this woman clearly did not live a happy life and then to have it end so tragically with all this cloud of suspicion. I hope her son's doing okay. Oh and I say the sister is the one sending Bernard the letter. I don't think Oscar gave enough of a fuck about Veronique to bother torturing Bernard every year. Of course he could be doing simply for his sick, twisted amusement.