Jean-Yves Wargnies was a well-known personality in the Charleroi region. He was a former participant in the TV show Star Ac’ and had also created “Chez ta mère” café in the city centre, which was loved by all. In September 2015, he bought a shed on rue du Congo in Marchienne-au-Pont (Charleroi Ouest) that he wanted to convert into lofts. However, Domenico Puddu, the accused, who had moved to Marchienne-au-Pont due to neighbourhood problems, was quickly overwhelmed by the noise of the construction works.
The neighbours had heated discussions and, in 2016, Jean-Yves filed a complaint against the accused for threats. The accused had mimed a shot and stated that he was not afraid to shoot. Despite this, he claimed to have never used the weapon bought in 1999. On December 30, 2019, while doing construction work on the roof, Jean-Yves was shot twice by the accused. After a first shot, which hit the victim’s buttocks, the accused chased him down the street and finished him off with a shot to the head.
Christophe Bertelli, a friend of Jean-Yves who was present that day to help with the work, said that he was also threatened by Domenico Puddu and became a civil party to the trial. However, the accused denies this second charge. The trial continued the next day with the hearings of the investigating judge, investigators, and the first judicial experts appointed as part of the investigation.
The article includes a drawing by Jonathan De Cesare showing Domenico Puddu on the first day of the Assizes Court trial for the death of Jean-Yves Wargnies, before the Assizes Court of Hainaut Province in Mons on Tuesday 11 April 2023.
Jean-Yves Wargnies was well known in the Charleroi region. A former Star Ac’ participant and creator of the “Chez ta mère” café in the city center, he was appreciated by everyone. In September 2015, Jean-Yves bought a shed, which he wanted to convert into lofts, on rue du Congo in Marchienne-au-Pont (Charleroi Ouest). But Domenico Puddu, the accused, a hardened bachelor who left his Center region for Marchienne-au-Pont already because of neighborhood problems, was quickly overwhelmed by the noise of the works.
BELGA PHOTO JONATHAN DE CESARE
The neighbors have heated discussions. In 2016, Jean-Yves Wargnies filed a complaint against the accused, for threats. The accused is said to have mimed a shot, declaring that he was not afraid to shoot. “The noise of the circular saw was unbearable. I told him that I was able to fire a shotgun, but I had no weapon at home. In the bag, there was only my hand”, said Domenico to the Assize Court. However, he had a weapon at home, bought in 1999. “I buried her. I dug her up in 2016 after being threatened by drug addicts and illegal dumpers behind my home.”
He claims to have never used this weapon, between 2016 and December 30, 2019, when that day he shot Jean-Yves Wargnies twice, in the middle of the morning, while he was doing construction work. roof. “I went to ask him to stop making noise”says Domenico Puddu. “That day, I hadn’t called the police, like the day before and the day before. I went to see him. I don’t know what he said to me and I fired I went home to load the gun. I couldn’t control myself anymore, I wanted to stop the nuisance, not kill someone. I regret it. When the process started, it got out of control. I I was in a mad rage.”
After a first shot, which hit the victim’s buttocks, the accused chased her down the street and finished her off with a shot in the head. “I didn’t know I had hit him when he jumped off the roof. Afterwards, I saw him crouching by a pole. I said to him: ‘ah, you called the police’. We were going around from the pole, and I fired. I aimed for his head. Afterwards, it seemed like the volcano died out. All the nervousness went away and I realized what I had done.”
Christophe Bertelli, a friend of Jean-Yves, was there that day to help him with the work. He says he was threatened by Domenico Puddu and became a civil party to the trial. He will be heard on Wednesday. This second charge, the accused denies: “I completely ignored him, I was focused on Jean-Yves. What he said is false”.
The trial will continue on Tuesday afternoon with the hearings of the investigating judge, the investigators and the first judicial experts appointed as part of the investigation.
In the end, the tragic and senseless death of Jean-Yves Wargnies serves as a reminder of the importance of communication and conflict resolution. While the accused, Domenico Puddu, may have been driven to extreme measures by the noise of construction work, resorting to violence is never the answer. As the trial continues, we hope that justice will be served and that this loss will inspire a greater commitment to understanding and tolerance in our communities. May Jean-Yves Wargnies rest in peace, and may his memory be a guiding light for all of us.