Original subtitles

Today, in Antwerp, a long-awaited assassination trial

about the Asseboester murder.

Marianne Koens was brutally killed.

Probably by her partner Anton Bergman

and her stepdaughter Julie Bergman.

I accidentally shot Marianne from the stairs.

I tried to resuscitate her.

But if you don't believe me, you're still punished.

Marianne Koens was a warm and very loving woman

and not a bad stepmother like you make it seem.

Dad, you too?

Me too.

I'll make sure you're released, Dad. I promise.

I can't, Frank.

It's my own daughter.

A young, innocent girl.

She'll forgive the jury, but you and your father

who stabbed his own daughter...

Forget it.

That's not what I want.

The twelve people who decide your life.

Make sure you don't end up there.

A notable appearance among the jury

was journalist Nico Willems.

Can you leave?

What's this?

Why are you hanging your sweater?

I'm Simon, but you're not here.

I thought you were a musician.

You were, indeed.

Hey, who's that?

What happened?

Tell me, who are you?

The grey cat.

Hi, Mom.

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

Mom, we'll solve this quickly.

According to Sian, these photos were sent

with a Twitter account called Firestarter.

I've never heard of it.

Why are you so cool about it? You're a good couple.

How's your relationship with Julie?

We haven't talked for a long time.

That's strange.

I don't think Marian was involved in an accident.

It's your strategy. You risk both murders.

I take the risk.

I'm not afraid of interrogation.

You'll stay with your statement.

You want him to go to jail, too.

Marian was brutally murdered by the people she trusted.

I hope your jury will punish those who betrayed her.

It's too much.

Right, Julie?

All that training and then your homework.

You were so far from your diploma.

I don't need a diploma.

I'm going to do triathlon.

Sweetheart.

Look at this.

An intern.

You should finish high school first.

And then you'll be with us at the weekend.

And my sport?

You can train there, too.

Without my coach?

We think you'll be with a diploma more than with a triathlon.

Us or you?

Is that your idea?

It's not my mother's, is it?

Come on.

Dennis says if I stay like this, I'll go to the World Championships.

Sweetheart.

I'm 18.

I'll do what I want.

We're not negotiating.

Dad.

You're all in your fucking mind.

You want to move me.

I know how hard you're trying.

You and the tandoor?

Okay.

And she's there now?

Yes.

No, wait.

I'll interview her.

Okay.

Her stepdaughter just turned up.

Has anything changed lately?

Something that can explain the extra nervousness?

No, I do the same as always.

I go to the gym.

I take pills.

I rest.

I know better how to rest.

I really do rest.

Enough.

Is your leg still stable?

Have you talked to Dr. Maurice?

Yes, last month.

Yes.

I'm not crazy. I feel what I feel.

I'm in a lot of pain.

Yes, but you do feel pain.

That's not up for discussion.

And the neurostimulator, is that an option?

No, not for me. You know that, don't you?

If it helps, we should try it.

I'm a bit tired of trying.

And...

the rugizic.

Or oxynorm.

You know I don't like to prescribe that.

Yes.

Okay.

I'll prescribe you a box of oxynorm.

You shouldn't take it every day.

There aren't many options after this.

Hey.

Don't be angry.

I'm not angry. I'm calm. It's different.

You shouldn't be anxious either.

Okay?

No, okay.

Yes?

No, not right now.

You'll see. It'll be better for me.

It's quite a hassle.

I'll see them off.

Goodbye, ma'am.

Come.

Yes, come. Have a seat.

Hi. Do you have a shower?

No.

My daughter put it on. I don't do anything with it.

You don't have to tell me.

I know you don't like cafes.

Aren't you curious?

Do you have a wife? Can I go in?

You always win prizes.

Come on.

On August 8, 2021,

at 7.46 am, we received this call.

We immediately went there.

Mr. Pijken was waiting for us here.

He was in panic.

He was bleeding.

We enter the house and see footprints in the hallway.

It smells like Javel.

In the living room is Mr. Bergman.

He doesn't respond when we come in.

He's also covered in blood.

There are bottles of drink on the table.

When we ask for his name, he doesn't respond.

A little later he asks if he's dead.

He had a strange look in his eyes.

We continue and see that the back door is open.

The door to the basement is open.

At the bottom of the stairs we see the victim.

This is a photo of the body of the woman we met.

Mr. Dirkens, you were in charge of the investigation.

That's right.

As an investigator, I replaced the departure.

It quickly became clear that Mr. Bergman was in a very drunk state.

He could not give a clear explanation of what had happened.

We found traces of violence in the bedroom.

Mr. Bergman also had a scratch on his arm.

Mr. Bergman heard you later.

In his first interrogation, he said that after a fight with the victim,

he had left the house with a bottle of rum.

He had parked somewhere on a forest road.

He was noticed by a neighbor at 10 p.m.

The same neighbor passed by again 45 minutes later.

Then the car of Mr. Bergman disappeared without a trace.

Then Mr. Bergman changed his statement.

He said that he had trouble with street lighting.

For this reason he had moved his car.

He pointed us to a second location.

It was impossible that he had been there all night.

He pointed us to a third location.

We did not find any evidence to confirm his statement.

But you had a mask interrogation carried out at the GSM.

Certainly.

At 2 a.m. he had a phone call with his daughter.

Then there was a number of times of data traffic that night.

We deduce that he was in the neighborhood all night.

This mask is also found near the victim's house.

Can Mr. Dirkens indicate where my client parked his car that night?

That's there.

Under which GSM mask does he fall down the forest road?

This one.

That's the same mask.

Correct.

That's why we can't disprove his statement.

Or we can just confirm his statement.

Mr. De Donker, you have a point.

If Mr. Bergman moved from the house to the forest road,

is that visible on the mask interrogation?

No.

But it is perfectly possible.

And the ANPR cameras?

Is Mr. Bergman's car visible on them?

There is one ANPR camera.

But Mr. Bergman's car has never been registered.

Mr. Dirkens, your mask interrogation and your cameras can show

that my client was still at the crime scene that night.

And yet you try to prove that to everyone.

Mr. De Donker, it is at the crime scene that we found your client.

This morning.

When Mrs. Coens was already dead.

Go ahead, Mr. Donderzoek.

Julie Bergman was not at the crime scene that morning,

but with a friend.

Inspector Verbeeken from the premises

reported the bad news as soon as possible.

How did she react?

She was hit.

But she seemed interested in the fact that her father was arrested.

She admitted that night.

According to her, she pushed Marianne Coens off the stairs

Was that statement meaningful to you?

She certainly had killer knowledge.

A sweater of hers was found in the washing machine.

Blood remains from the victim are visible on the zipper.

So she was still in contact with the victim.

There is no doubt about that.

But later her statement did not seem to make sense.

Indeed, the lab later found a blood trail.

From the living room to the basement.

Those blood remains also turned out to be the result of the victim.

The doctor also pointed out a number of things

that did not match with a fall from the stairs.

Professor Sterks, what were your findings?

We found several fractures on Mrs. Marianne Coens' back.

And a broken rib.

And bleeding on the hips, on both legs.

On the wrists and in the face.

These seem to confirm a fall from the stairs.

But we found two noticeable wounds.

They are located above the capillary area.

Which is suggestive for blows to the head.

We also see that the blows were made with a weapon with great swing power.

Like a golf stick, a cow foot or a metal pipe.

Are these wounds the cause of Marianne Coens' death?

No, they are not.

The blows have a great impact.

But we have not yet found skull fractures or blood around the brain.

So the blows are not the cause of death.

Let alone the probable fall from the stairs.

But under the eyelids we found puncture wounds.

And when I see puncture wounds, I immediately turn off all alarm bells.

We think of bulging or suffocation with puncture wounds.

Where the mouth and nose are sealed with probably a plastic bag.

You should know that if you want to stab someone ...

... you have to cut the wound in at least 1.5 minutes.

Did Mrs. Coens see a lot?

You see the nature of the wounds ...

Yes.

Undoubtedly.

Are you okay?

Those pictures ...

It's not my mom.

She doesn't even look like her.

Do you believe what they say?

Master of the Dark certainly does not say that.

And that doctor?

That person just notes what is.

Anton says something completely different. And you?

Then they will lie.

Such a pity.

It's crazy that you have to see such pictures of your mother.

It can be.

What are we going to do for two more weeks?

Of course.

It's just the first interrogation.

Wait, before the lawyers start ...

You don't mean that.

What?

I have ...

I have coffee with me.

Someone wants coffee?

Yes.

And I don't believe anything of that Anton.

Those witnesses see Bergman at ten o'clock, but not at a quarter to eleven.

I'm sorry, but I can't.

Why not?

Anton Bergman said he wasn't there anymore.

Isn't it obvious that the police didn't find anything?

Did you have traces of where you came from?

Do you change your statement three times when you speak the truth?

That girl was maybe a bit ...

The prophet?

What does he say?

Being a teacher is always important.

Are you really as beautiful as in your picture?

Witte, send it back to me.

Hopefully.

It's so cozy here.

Yes, Jacob.

It's under the masks.

I wouldn't want to miss this.

It's a small machine, but you can take it with you.

Thank you.

What I'm worried about is that blood trail from the living room to the basement.

Yes, and then crouched.

What can we do?

The little villain would never defend the girl if there was no other explanation.

And the washing machine?

With blood on it?

If Julie Bergman says she tried to resuscitate Marianne,

could that be it?

Witte, I just don't believe it.

She's such a fragile girl.

She wouldn't have done that.

Don't let her down.

The child is lying.

Come on.

She can just hide it.

What do you know about Jean's pictures?

That they're exposed.

Do you know who took them?

Why is Jean saying you did it?

Jean is angry with me.

Because I did it.

She did kiss someone else.

Jean didn't take those pictures. Who did it?

We're talking to you.

Give me that phone.

I'm here.

What's that?

Kobe.

Who's that in your email?

That's Sanner Nieuwlief.

And he says I sent those pictures.

But I'm sure he did it himself.

That he put a guy on your shirt?

Did he send you those pictures?

He didn't mean that.

Kobe, why is he doing that?

I'm going to call the school.

He can't just turn you down.

Please don't.

You'll only make it worse.

If he turns you down again, he'll have to deal with us.

Kobe, are you involved in those pictures?

Not at all.

Mr. Investigator, I've been told this was your first murder.

I don't know how that could be relevant.

But it's true.

Proficiat.

Thank you.

No, and I mean that.

From the bottom of my heart.

According to the press, I'm an asshole.

And who would believe the newspapers today?

But, to the point.

Mr. Dirkens.

As an investigator, you decide which investigations are carried out...

and which are not.

That's correct.

Can you tell me more about the DNA investigation in this case?

Besides her own profile...

there's also the DNA of Anton Bergman, Julie Bergman...

and Dennis Pijken, who found her.

Yes.

But also from other traces?

To a lesser extent, yes.

But no matches have been found.

I'm trying to understand.

I'm just a simple human being, Mr. Dirkens.

But it's true that you have to have someone's DNA...

before you can compare it to the DNA found on Mrs. Koontz's body.

That's correct.

There was a party that day.

A barbecue.

Did you ask for the DNA of the people present?

If they led us too far.

So, no.

No.

How many people were there at the barbecue?

There were 14 people.

14 people.

That's not a real football stadium.

Right, Mr. Dirkens?

Was a murder weapon found?

No.

Not searched for?

Not found.

Not found.

And how late did Mrs. Koontz die?

Or should I look at your colleague, Dr...

Professor.

Professor.

We can't tell the exact time.

A rough estimate, Professor?

Between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m.

At the time my client would have been older.

Or is that true?

Mr. Dirkens, I understand it's hard to investigate everything.

Almost impossible.

Right?

We had to make choices with our team, as we always do.

Always?

But you just said this was your first case.

Or as it always happens.

Yes.

A bit confusing, but okay.

Mr. Dirkens, as an investigator, you made choices.

But if there are other traces that could lead to another suspect...

there's a chance they're still there.

Is there a dark side?

And were there no other suspects?

So it's not in order at all, you say.

I think you make choices about who is already suspected...

instead of which traces you investigate.

You're complaining, sir.

No, Mrs. Chairman.

No, not yet.

That's with more show.

That's with the big gestures.

All very funny, Mr. Mattersakenbraak.

I'll make it short, Mrs. Chairman.

Mr. Dirkens, in all seriousness...

I don't doubt that Mrs. Koens was brutally murdered.

But the question is, by whom?

By Julie Bergman?

Probably.

By my client?

No doubt about it.

I'm sure there are people here today...

who fit your story better than my client.

But it was chosen not to investigate them.

I'm done.

Those lawyers are useless.

Mr. Linne, you're exaggerating.

They just do their job.

Here.

What do you see?

A pear.

My pear.

It's dark at the table.

It makes a nice apple.

I told you.

He was right.

Half of the traces weren't investigated.

That he suspected the investigation...

was to be expected.

But he attacked Julie Bergman.

That's a punishment.

That he showed Anton what had happened...

is a punishment.

He's his own daughter.

I don't think he has a heart.

Or no choice.

Cathy.

Here.

A chair for you.

Aren't we going to have a drink later?

There's a jazz trio in my hotel.

Hotel?

Are you in love?

I never play with these guys.

You'll have to park your car.

A jazzman, huh?

I knew it.

I was doubting.

Classic or jazz?

Come and listen.

It's going to be hard.

Julie, eat something.

You'll feel better.

Why does a lawyer do that?

He's trying to get your father out.

Dad has nothing to do with it.

He thinks the jury won't believe you.

Do you think so?

I can't look them in the eye.

Dad thinks it's okay.

I've known his lawyer for a long time.

And believe me, your father didn't come up with this idea.

Everyone hates me.

Everyone hates me.

That's not true.

Why do I have to go when I'm free?

Mrs Delcorte, welcome.

You were involved in the investigation as a blood track analyst.

Yes, that's right.

Is it true that the blood trail you found between the living room and the basement

has convinced you that we are dealing with a crime committed by two perpetrators?

That the body was moved by two people, yes.

Can you explain that?

The lab found blood between the living room and the basement.

A clear blood trail is visible.

As you can see, there is a small blood stain

that then goes into a blood trail when the body is lifted.

By two people?

If the body was dragged by one person, there would also be fracture marks.

Are you sure that blood is from Marianne Koens?

100% sure, yes.

Do you also know when that blood was found?

Blood is not dated, no.

Then it may have ended earlier.

A week or a month, maybe even a year earlier.

Yes, that's possible.

And was it a lot of blood?

That was a lot.

Yes, I also read in the file that there is a report of drops.

But if I understand Professor Sterk's point,

Mrs. Koens had several head wounds.

Normally, a lot of blood comes with that, right?

Yes, but most of the blood was squeezed.

And we also absorbed a large part of Mrs. Koens' hair.

I have a written statement from the victim's family doctor.

It states that Marianne Koens regularly suffered from nosebleeds

as a result of the use of the medicine Sumatriptan.

That's for cluster headaches.

Is it possible that the blood you found is from a blood nose?

In this case, there is a high density between the individual spots in the pattern

which indicates a slow movement.

A person would move much faster with a blood nose.

And the drops would be much further apart.

Is it possible that the Blue Star, which you always use to track the blood,

reacts with Chavelle?

Blue Star does indeed bind with hemoglobin

and can give a false positive result in products with highly oxidizing components,

such as Chavelle.

Yes.

Also broccoli?

Even broccoli?

Yes.

Oh my God, you're not going to get away with that.

I read in the file that the living room was recently cleaned with Chavelle.

Is it possible that it caused confusion regarding the blood trail?

Even then, the outer ring of the blood drop, the skeletal ring,

remains visible.

But it's a fact that Chavelle has made our work difficult.

So my theory that the blood flow could be from a blood nose...

It's not conceivable.

But it's not entirely impossible.

It's not entirely impossible.

Thank you.

Professor Sterks, you just said that the head wounds are above the gutter zone,

which is suggestive of a blow to the head.

What do you mean by that?

That it's more likely that the head wounds come from a blow to the head

than from a fall from the stairs.

More likely?

And is that a certainty?

Let's say 100 percent.

No, that's a presumption.

But that's a presumption with 26 years of experience.

Yes, yes.

So in principle, those head wounds can be a result of a fall from the stairs.

Yes, listen.

The victim had two clear impacts of about the same dimension

on one side of the head.

So that seems pretty unlikely to me.

Those stitches we were just talking about, did you find any traces of that?

Because you have to put a lot of effort into stitching someone.

The jaw skeleton was still intact.

And that's bizarre.

But that's not unusual.

Look, if you stitch someone with a plastic bag and the victim doesn't notice it,

then it's possible.

Yes.

And can such point bleeding also occur after resuscitation?

That's possible.

That's very unusual.

But I've seen it before, yes.

That's possible, yes.

Because I have...

I'll quote for a moment.

Around the victim's mouth,

there was lip gloss, snot and dried up mucus found.

Were those from the victim himself?

No.

DNA research has shown that it was from Julie Bergman.

How is that possible?

A kiss?

On the mouth?

That's only ten for two people who don't get along.

What do you think?

A kiss on the mouth?

Or a resuscitation?

What I find so strange about this story is,

why would you try to resuscitate someone,

if you've just hit them in the head?

Mrs Delcorte, to round it off.

I'm going to ask you to answer yes or no.

Is it possible that the blood you found there,

between the living room and the basement,

is from a blood nose?

That's not possible, but it's possible.

Thank you.

Mr Sterks, can the head wounds be from a staircase?

I've told you, that's unlikely.

Can bleeding in the eyes occur after a resuscitation?

Yes.

Can the lip gloss on the victim be from that resuscitation?

Yes.

Yes?

Yes, thank you.

Four yes's on the question,

confirms the investigation, the explanation of my client.

Sorry, but I think this is a bit short-sighted.

You frame a whole investigation based on four unlikely elements.

Mr. Loosensrichter, I have one more question.

Is it possible that Julie Bergman,

her stepmother, accidentally pushed her down the stairs?

She tried to resuscitate her,

but then she panicked and left without informing the emergency services.

That would fall under the category of guilty of embezzlement.

It's as if I did it, goddammit.

And now, according to that stepmother, Julie only panicked.

And that's possible.

She can try, but the jury won't follow.

And did the jury believe that version?

Romy, please, come on.

Pixie is there, come on.

If they believe her, her penalty will be lifted.

And then she can be released after the trial.

Goddammit.

Come on, see you tomorrow.

But that's not going to happen.

Do I have to stay here tonight?

What are you going to do?

Put on my pajamas and read a story?

Please, I just want to help.

I understand you're having a hard time, but...

I don't know if I can do this.

I'll be gone in two weeks.

And then you can leave it to yourself.

Or not.

If you want to destroy yourself, you have to do it.

But I won't stand there and watch, Dennis.

It'll be fine, son.

It'll be fine, I say.

And call me if I have to help you with your pajamas.

But I'll leave you to it, son.

You have to come back today.

I'll bring your model contract.

Yes, bye.

Hey, Hanan.

Can you give me a minute? I can't do it in three minutes.

What's up?

I can't sit at the table.

Come on.

Sit down.

Come on.

Let's see.

What is it?

Ah, I've got it.

How many times is one?

One.

And two times one?

Two and three times one is three.

It's okay, right?

Yes, but five times six.

What are you doing?

You look at all those tables at the same time.

And they look like gigantic mountain climbers.

You want to jump over that mountain, but it's not that easy.

Start with the beginning.

And one by one, you'll get it.

Don't give up.

Work hard and you'll get it.

Do you understand?

It's an exercise, man.

Can you do it?

An African dance.

With a little bit of temptation.

Like this.

And pot-making.

I don't have that at home.

Doesn't your husband like that?

He doesn't mind.

He's waving at his people from time to time.

Sorry.

I didn't know.

It's okay, man.

Life goes on.

Do you have hobbies, Catherine?

I followed tango lessons.

With my daughter.

She's in Frankfurt for a year now.

With your daughter?

Doesn't your husband dance?

He's been dancing for a few months now.

Separated as well.

Anyone else drinking?

Jacob?

Hello, Gert.

Hey.

Hello.

Hey.

You're here.

Wow.

You've noticed me already.

She's your father.

What's up with those pictures?

That's the school from Copenhagen.

I don't care about that.

He'd never do that.

What's up with you, Laura?

Time for some kids.

Come on, Copenhagen.

This is the basement.

Did you order a taxi?

Yes, I did.

That was quick.

I didn't mean to.

Come on.

Oh, God.

Drink lots of water when you get home.

Don't drink too much water.

Jacob.

See you tomorrow.

Oops.

A melon for me.

What else are you drinking?

I was thinking about going home.

A pint.

That's the same.

It's been a long time.

I haven't had much to talk about tonight.

I don't have much to say either.

I don't really like to be here.

It's the second time I've been to a hotel.

What was the first time?

My wedding trip.

In Crete.

It was all in.

Everything was in English.

Palm trees.

Empty rooms.

A bit of a prelude to a wedding.

I didn't think my wedding was that bad.

But my husband did.

Sorry.

I didn't mean to...

I'd like to know what you think.

As good as the all-in in Crete?

I don't know if that's a good idea.

We don't know each other yet.

Don't think too much about it.

Please.

Don't do it.

Please.

Don't do it.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

We'll see about that later.

I'm going to be busy.

Bye.

Who let you in here?

You can't be here.

Has anyone seen Julie?

No, sir.

Can you please leave?

Yes?