“I’m going to kill you, you’re going to die. If you don’t abort, it’s me who will abort you”: François (the first name has been changed) did he really make these death threats last Thursday against his partner, who was a few weeks pregnant? He found himself in the box of the Meaux criminal court this Monday to explain it. But at the last moment, he preferred to request a delay for his defense.
It was in Courtry, at her friend’s home, that the threats were made. Even though she did not file a complaint and did not become a civil party at the hearing, she denounced recurring psychological and physical violence, including slaps, punches and strangulations. Although these two young people have been dating for three years, alternating between breakups and reunions, they have only been living together for a month.
The prosecutor’s deputy Léa Dreyfus requested that the defendant be placed in pre-trial detention, pending the trial hearing. The prosecutor had a strong argument: the day before the violence, François had been sentenced to 14 months in prison with suspended probation by the Meaux criminal court, as part of the guilty plea, for a case of aggravated theft. “He absolutely did not take this legal warning into account,” she said.
Not really the analysis of the defense lawyer, who argued for strict judicial control. “This conviction of November 20 is not final because my client can still appeal,” recalled Me Emmanuel Giordana. Before emphasizing: “He’s barely 20 years old, that’s important.” During the rapid social survey, he specified different accommodation options other than with his partner and he spoke about his permanent contract in a fast restaurant. But nothing has been verified.” The judges decided to place François in pre-trial detention, pending his trial, scheduled for December 23.