Original subtitles

Dad? – Yes?

My lawyer says I might be released because I've been in custody for so long.

I'm going to make sure you're released too, dad. I promise.

I can't, Frank. – Come on, Anton.

How many times have you talked about this?

After the trial, you can see as much as you want.

All visitors to the prison.

Look, it's very simple.

If the jury believes Julie pushed Marianne down the stairs, you're released.

But if they don't believe it was an accident, you're in trouble.

And they're not going to believe it, are they?

My daughter. – What?

A young, innocent girl.

She could have forgiven the jury,

but you and the father who stabbed his own daughter...

You have to choose, Anton.

Her or you.

Kobe?

Kobe, come here, boy.

Did you see my deo?

They're waiting for you, Nico. It's not your first trial.

Nico.

It's a BBJ.

I'm sure it's a piece of Bergman.

Kobe, I'm running late.

Kobe?

Open the door.

Kobe?

Come here.

The door is closed. Don't answer.

Kobe, open the door.

Are you all right?

Come and sit down.

Come on.

Calm down. Don't panic. I'm not angry.

Come here.

Calm down.

You'll be fine. We're here.

Can't I stay at home?

I don't feel well.

Mirke, you've had it once.

Do you remember when Grandpa Iredem was so ill?

Don't you remember?

Did something happen at school?

No.

I just have a degree in mathematics.

I forgot to study it.

Kobe, don't panic.

I can write a letter if you want.

No, it's okay.

Are you sure?

What's that stench?

Can we leave?

Kobe, what's this?

Why are you in a diaper?

It's just a pee.

What do you want?

I know the difference between pee and rainwater.

On August 7, 2021,

the Assepoester murder took place in the Antwerp municipality of Wijngem.

The 44-year-old brewery brewer, Marianne Koens,

was brought to life by marriage.

Probably by her partner, café brewer,

and also local sports and culture, Anton Bergman,

and her stepdaughter, Julie Bergman.

Both Anton Bergman and his daughter continue to deny it.

Julie claims that her stepmother's death was an accident

and her father did not appear at the time of the facts.

The case speaks for two suspects.

The jury does not expect an easy task.

Is this a tragic accident

or have father and daughter been lying for more than two years?

With this trial, we hope to get the following answer

to the many questions that remain around this family drama.

I just saw that the lawyers, father and daughter,

have arrived together with the civil party.

Ms. Pijken, Roby,

relieved that the Assepoester murder is finally happening.

If I may, for clarity.

Marianne Koens was a warm and very loving woman

and not at all like you make her appear.

It would be a shame

if you would no longer use the term Assepoester murder.

No longer use it.

But you are convinced of the version of the case.

We are in the first place

in the function of the survivor of the victim.

But we have complete confidence in the investigation.

Marianne Koens was brutally murdered by the people she trusted.

I hope your jury will give her the punishment she deserves.

Thank you.

There are no fixed seats, so you can sit wherever you want.

Hello, I'm Vanessa Janssens.

I'm a team leader in the cookie factory in Hertels.

Murat, come here.

Someone wants to make a card.

Yes, I can do that.

I thought you didn't have to come.

I thought I had to be here.

I'm Simon, but you're here.

I thought you were a musician.

Yes, I was.

See? I knew it.

A guitarist?

Almost. A bass player.

Jacob Dreijen. I work in the export sector.

But I'm going to retire soon.

I'm Maya.

I don't really believe that a job defines a person.

But I'm currently working in a café.

I'm John. I'm a teacher.

Esther.

Esther.

Is everything all right?

No, it hasn't started yet.

I'm going home.

Are you sure?

Is the coffee machine broken?

I don't think so.

I'll check if there are enough beans in it.

Patrick.

I'm sorry, but the coffee machine is apparently broken.

I'll fix it as soon as possible.

If you want a coffee, there's a machine at the end of the corridor.

Does anyone want coffee?

Yes, if you don't mind.

What's your name?

The grey Catherine.

I'm a waitress at the mutuality.

Here you are.

Thank you.

Do you want coffee?

I had coffee this morning.

It's still a bit on my stomach.

Go ahead.

Can I have some coffee?

It's all right.

I wouldn't want that.

Twelve people who decide your life.

Make sure you don't end up there.

You don't always have it in your hands.

I'm there myself.

I didn't hit anyone in the head.

It's not her fault.

It's not the first time someone is accused of a crime.

Let's start.

The court.

Have a seat.

Members of the jury.

As you know, you are appointed judges in this case.

A long investigation has been carried out.

The file is here for me.

You will hear a lot of things.

It's important that you listen carefully.

Based on those elements, you will have to make a statement

about the guilt or innocence of both accused.

The accused may come in.

Hey.

Let's start.

Julie.

Can't I just stay here?

You know it's not going to work.

Is dad here?

Everyone is here.

What if they don't believe me?

Stand up straight.

Come on, stand up straight.

Straight back.

And scream.

Just scream as loud as you can.

Now you, do it.

Louder.

What did I tell you about those tears?

They say more than words.

There you go.

Wipe them off your nose, but leave the rest.

Okay?

You've been punished enough.

Mrs Bergman.

I assume this is a one-off incident.

You may stand up straight.

Excuse me, Mrs De Vooster.

Before we start the interrogation, I would like to emphasize

that you are not obliged to answer my questions.

You are also free to tell the truth or not.

According to the Public Prosecutor's Office,

you and your father, Anton Bergman,

stabbed your stepmother Marianne Koens in the head,

threw her off the basement stairs

and then buried her.

Yes.

Yes?

Is that so?

No.

Then tell me what exactly happened on the evening of August 7, 2021.

I stabbed Marianne.

You have to speak a little louder.

I stabbed Marianne by accident.

And how did you do that?

How did that happen?

We had an argument.

Marianne was angry with me and was shouting.

She wanted to hold me.

She wanted to hold you? And then?

I pushed her away.

She fell off the stairs.

And then?

I tried to resuscitate her.

Was she still alive?

I don't know.

She didn't move anymore.

And how did the resuscitation go?

Not well.

I learned that at school, but...

It's different.

Where was your father during that argument?

I don't know.

He had an argument with Marianne before that and...

And he left in a bad mood.

And your stepsister, Ron?

She went back to live with her dad.

According to your statement,

you went to a party afterwards.

Yes.

And you left Marianne there.

I didn't know what to do.

Didn't you think of...

bringing someone up?

Did you call the ambulance?

I didn't think of that.

What did you think would happen to Marianne?

That someone would find her? I don't know.

And what happened to that argument with Marianne?

I wasn't at school anymore and...

Marianne wanted me to go to boarding school.

But then...

I couldn't...

train with Dennis anymore.

My coach.

You mean Dennis Spijken, Marianne's ex-partner,

and here...

represented as a civil party.

Triathlon.

That was important to you.

I've been training since I was ten.

Tell me something about your relationship with Marianne.

My stepmother did that.

Your biological mother passed away.

When I was nine.

That must have been hard.

Grandma was my best friend.

After your mother's death,

you were left alone with your father.

How did that go?

Not so well.

He worked a lot in the café at the time.

When she was at home...

he was in his room.

But he did take good care of me.

He learned to cook for me.

I couldn't just make apple mousse out of a jar.

In 2018, your father got to know Marianne.

She and her daughter moved in with you pretty soon.

What did you think of that?

With Romy...

Romy was still okay.

And with Marianne?

I think she preferred I wasn't there.

What did you mean by that?

Marianne could be a bitch sometimes.

Sorry.

I didn't mean it like that.

Marianne was always friendly and laughing.

But at home she could be completely different.

What's the relationship between you and your father?

I miss him.

Marquette says you and your father killed your stepmother.

You killed your stepmother?

No.

I kidnapped Marianne and my father wasn't there.

I was alone.

All alone.

What did you do with that girl?

I don't know.

She's still lying to us.

I thought she was very credible.

You don't fall for that.

But lying like that...

I thought you had to tell the truth.

I only did it for the witnesses.

Witnesses should be punished, not accused.

That would be a violation of your right to defend yourself.

What does that mean?

If you did it and you're punished, you should blame yourself.

That would be strange.

You want to take responsibility for what you did.

So she can just lie?

But she doesn't do it effectively.

Those bambi eyes might work for you, but not for me.

I don't know.

She's still a child.

Can you imagine killing your own stepmother?

It's not because you look helpless that you're sad.

I don't know.

You're a bit sad.

And then that change...

Simon?

What happened?

It's nothing.

Come here.

It's okay. Don't worry.

Come here.

Come here.

Damn it, Esther.

How could you?

I wanted to take something and I fell.

And you knew?

Don't you have to go to that trial?

No, not now.

I'll call the court and tell them I won't be there.

I can stay alone. You're going to work every day, aren't you?

I don't have to turn off my phone.

For the same amount of money, you'd have hit your head on the table.

It's okay.

I'm still a child, Simon.

How's your pain?

The same.

Hunger?

A bit.

A lot.

No, Bergman.

There are several elements in the investigation

that relate you to Marianne Koens' death.

I wasn't home when she died.

Can you imagine the course of that day?

There was a party for Marianne's birthday.

We invited some friends.

We ate and drank a bit.

At eight o'clock everyone went home.

You had to go to an opening?

An open-air performance.

I was a fan of sports and culture.

But Marianne didn't go.

Culture wasn't her thing.

Wait a minute.

You were gone, Marianne was at home

and yet the party ended so early.

Why?

I don't like it when people are at home while I'm away.

Witnesses at the barbecue said

you sent your people home quite brutally.

Is that true?

I didn't experience it that way.

What happened when everyone was gone?

Marianne went back to her bedroom.

We had a fight there.

About?

Something small, probably.

I was very tense during that time.

My coffee didn't go well.

Not so well?

You were on the verge of bankruptcy, if I understand correctly.

Yes.

During that fight there was a mirror.

Is that true?

The mirror was an accident.

We were both drunk.

Were you afraid I was?

Normally I don't drink.

I've had a difficult relationship with alcohol.

But I was treated for it.

Since then I don't drink.

But now you did drink.

What was the reason?

Maybe we should ask her ex.

What do you mean?

Mr Bergman, what do you mean by that?

Nothing.

Mr Bergman, this is your chance

to tell the jury your version of the facts.

It's you who will decide on the question of guilt.

Not me.

Not your lawyer.

Go on.

I didn't want Dennis to come to that party.

But Marianne didn't want anything else.

I'm already nervous when I see him.

He took advantage of her all his life.

And now he's here again.

Mr Bergman, we're here to take care of you.

Not the citizens' party.

Excuse me, Madam Chairman.

Good.

After that argument you left.

I took a bottle of rum.

And I started driving around.

I parked on a forest road.

And I drank the rum empty.

Then I drove home.

Marianne wasn't home.

I thought.

I sat in the armchair.

Then I fell asleep.

And...

When I woke up...

I wanted to drink more.

I went to the basement.

And you found Marianne.

And then?

I grabbed her.

I shot her.

Then I saw all that blood.

And I went upstairs.

I was in shock, I think.

Did you call the emergency services?

Madam, I was really...

fed up.

I don't remember how long I was there.

I think I went back.

I fell asleep.

And then there was Dennis.

He called the police.

Did Mr. Pijken come to visit often?

Mr. Bergman, you can answer the question.

Did Dennis come to visit often?

Never.

What did he do there?

No idea.

But I know I picked him up.

And he never questioned anything.

Mr. Bergman...

How would you describe the relationship between your daughter and Marianne?

I don't think you would have minded if Marianne and I had broken up.

And Marianne?

She only had one daughter.

And...

She let it show.

And the relationship between you and your daughter?

We've been together for a long time.

We only had each other.

And Marianne got in the way?

In a way, yes.

How is the relationship between you and Julie now?

We haven't spoken for a long time.

It happens.

I'm reading what's in the file.

I don't think Marianne accidentally pushed the stairs.

Mr. Bergman, did you talk to your daughter Marianne Koens about life?

I left home that evening and Marianne was still alive.

When I came back, she was dead.

Hey.

I have to go. Do you want a glass of wine?

Oh, God.

It's so late. I have to go home.

Jacob, you should go and have a drink.

I have an appointment with an old colleague.

Okay.

Are you all alone?

Yes.

Is that okay?

Yes, a little drink in the seat will do.

See you tomorrow.

See you tomorrow.

I don't understand.

Does the father say his daughter is dead?

Yes.

How should we know?

Wouldn't it be better to leave it to smart people?

You underestimate yourself.

I'm just a servant.

You look like someone who knows what she wants.

Okay.

See you tomorrow.

Are you busy?

Shall I put you somewhere else?

No.

Sorry.

I'm going home.

See you tomorrow.

See you tomorrow.

Frank, you put a father against his own daughter.

We decided to follow the best strategy.

My client is also innocent.

I'm not against your client. I'm in favour of her.

Claire.

What?

That child is lying.

If your strategy fails, they'll both risk murder.

I'll take the risk.

You?

You're making a fool of yourself.

Well tried.

Come on, brother.

Claire.

No.

I hope...

If there's something, ask me to talk to Kanda.

Is that Vannes?

What?

Hey, Vannes.

Everything okay?

Not really.

Where's Jean?

He didn't come.

We had a call from the attorney this morning.

Apparently there are still explicit pictures of Jean on the Internet.

What kind of pictures?

Not the kind of pictures a father wants to see of his daughter.

Shit.

According to Jean, those pictures were sent with a Twitter account

with the name Firestarter.

Firestarter?

Yes.

That would be cheap.

Do you know anything about Firestarter?

No, I've never heard of it.

Jean doesn't dare to go out.

Everyone has seen those pictures.

Why would they do that? You're a couple.

Not anymore.

I don't even know which pictures you're talking about.

The pictures you took of me.

I didn't do anything.

Why would Jean be there?

Can I see your phone?

It's not on there.

I've deleted them, of course.

And on your Twitter?

I'm not on Twitter.

If it's cheap, it has nothing to do with it.

You're lying, comrade. You know it.

Calm down.

Why are you saying that?

I think we should leave it here for now.

You've got a bag that has her number on it.

There are a lot of people around.

Sorry, if we can help you with anything.

No.

Dad is going to take the solar panel.

I got it from Rita.

Yes.

What's next? A TV?

He says he put it there because you never use it.

But dad does.

He gets heart cancer from it.

Yes.

Hey, mom.

It's been so long since someone held me again.

Mom.

And they call me a whore.

We're going to solve this quickly.

Come on.

Are you dating again?

Yes.

I'm not ready for it yet.

Mom, you've been ready for it for ten years.

Dad was just in the way.

Look, they're all old men.

Yes. Come on.

Honey.

Do you really have to leave?

Mom, it's one o'clock.

It's nice here, isn't it?

Yes.

No.

Romy.

Come and eat.

Open the window, the cigarettes stink here.

Really.

We're smoking in that room.

You'll get it.

Then forbid it.

It's her dad.

He's the boss.

Hi, Romy.

Uncle Wix, I'm going to eat in my room.

Yes.

Fuck.

Spaghetti.

You don't eat meat again?

That was Marianne's favorite food.

Marianne's favorite food.

Hurry to the bathroom.

Romy.

Vodka.

Why are you doing this?

It doesn't solve anything.

Dad.

It's mom.

Of course.

Me too.

I only find that stupid number of a post.

On Twitter?

1001 fire starters.

What kind of site is that?

No shame.

That girl is 14 years old.

Fourteen.

Why does Jean say that?

That's impossible.

Jean doesn't see me as a girl who would lie about that.

Jean doesn't see me as a girl who would let someone take a picture.

But Cobra did.

That's why they bullied him.

What's wrong with you?

Don't be a pussy. I have to eat.

I deserve that.

Here, eat this.

I didn't buy it for nothing.

Felix, you're back on your feet again.

You can't visit me again, can you?

You don't have to.

What's the matter?

I'm afraid of my interrogation.

Anton is too dark as a lawyer.

I didn't know that.

What if he asks again?

You just stay with your statement.

I don't know if he'll come up with something else.

You want him to get in trouble, don't you?

I'll have to see.

Early tomorrow.

A quarter to eight, taxi Pijken.

Thank you, brother.

Hey, Pixie.

It'll be all right.

Back!

Back, back!

You're going to break my neck.

Stop it!

Is this normal?

Sorry, my client is being accused of injustice.

He doesn't have anything to do with strategy.

So I would...

Happy birthday.

Come on.

No.

Birthday girl. Speech.

No, not that either.

Speech.

Who wants to drink something?

Yes, a beer.

Happy birthday.

Come on, girl. Speech.

No, not that either.

Speech.

Make it bigger than it is.

Why do you want me to do that?

Seriously?

Because we're doing it right.

Right?

Is that so?

I think we should get a move on.

I feel so small with you.

I don't exist.

We've had too much to drink.

We'll talk about it tomorrow.

No.

Get out of here.

I want to stand on my own two feet.

And I'm not going to you.

I work day and night for you.

And now that's less with me, you want to stand on your own two feet?

That's not how it works, Marion.

That's not how it works.