The alleged attacker of a jogger in Vergèze, arrested last Friday, confessed to the facts. Indicted for “attempted assassination”, he was placed in pre-trial detention, specifies Frédéric Kocher, deputy prosecutor of Nîmes.
The suspect, aged 25 and living near Vergèze, suffered from psychiatric disorders. He had been hospitalized in a specialized establishment four days before the attack and had been granted leave the day before the tragedy, January 10.. The authorities did not specify whether this exit was temporary or permanent.
The victim, a 44-year-old mother, was jogging late in the morning in a park when she was attacked from behind. The assailant stabbed him six times, hitting his neck, chest and shoulder. Although his life prognosis was initially in jeopardy, his condition subsequently stabilized. According to the deputy prosecutor, the suspect had no connection with the victim and would have premeditated a random attack, equipping himself with a knife for this purpose.
Capital testimonies and big means
Two witnesses to the attack, including an off-duty police officer, quickly identified the suspect. Their testimonies were supplemented by analyzes of video surveillance images, which led to his arrest on Friday. During the search of his home, investigators found a jacket and a knife on which the victim's DNA was identified.
-The investigation mobilized considerable resources, including 70 gendarmes, supported by drones, a helicopter and dog teams. In addition, 20 investigators from the Nîmes gendarmerie research section worked tirelessly to solve the case.
This act highlights the challenges linked to the monitoring of people suffering from psychiatric disorders, as well as the risks of acting out, particularly during furloughs.
