the essential
This 35-year-old man will have to answer, this Friday, October 11, for violence with the use of a weapon leading to death without the intention of causing it. Around the funfair which took place in October 2021, a fight broke out between young people and people who worked there.
This is the second manslaughter that the Lot criminal court is looking into this week. This had particularly moved the inhabitants of Cahors, since it took place on the sidelines of the funfair, in October 2021. And it had led to the death of a young adult from Pradines, Ladjel Slamnia, aged only 18 years old.
He gets up, then collapses
October 21, 2021, 12:45 a.m. A brawl broke out in front of the “Le Conti” bar, rue Denis Forestier, a stone’s throw from Place Charles de Gaulle where rides and other attractions were crowded. In the chaos of the blows being exchanged, Ladjel falls and tries to get up. He collapses. So in cardio-respiratory arrest when the emergency services came to his aid, he was urgently transported to the Cahors hospital center. He died a few minutes later.
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Lot: Who was Ladjel killed in Cahors? The moving tribute of his family who mourn the son, the brother, the friend
According to witnesses, the scene took place in two parts. The first takes place near the rides where the accused, David C., 35 years old, sees two young people hidden between the rides, including Ladjel. A few insults are exchanged, the young man is said to have knocked down a metal barrier. David and a friend pursue the boys who are heading towards “the Conti”. Second phase of this scene of violence, which this time moves near the bar.
This is where things get out of hand. Witnesses describe David in turn swinging a metal barrier towards the young people.
“I think I stole one”
Everything comes together. David would have lifted the young adult by the shoulder and then stabbed him with a knife before leaving. To his friend who was with him, he said: “I think I stung one, I’m going to have problems.” »
But everything is not clear. The testimonies do not clearly say who came to get or give the first blow. Some saw the scene late, others only part of it. The video surveillance images did not capture everything. David C. will have to clarify the conditions which led him to plant this young man. To the investigators, he did not deny the facts. He said he was panicked by a feeling of danger during the altercation with the victim, and while several people crowded around him. He allegedly took out the knife to “stab” at random in order to flee.
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Lot: after the death of an 18-year-old stabbed in Cahors, emotion and questions
The task of the criminal court will also be to shed light on the multitude of these testimonies to understand what really happened. To also understand how this man, renowned and recognized within the fairground community, was able to deliver this fatal blow. Especially since he didn’t have a reputation for being violent or impulsive. His record only has two mentions: one for speeding, and one for driving under the influence of drugs. Placed in pre-trial detention on October 30, 2021, he was released under the electronic bracelet regime in May 2023. This man, who faces 20 years of criminal imprisonment, will appear free.
For their part, the family of the deceased, some of whom have become civil parties, will be in court to understand how this brother, this son, this friend died this October evening. Understand why this young man who was destined for a career in the field of special education now no longer has a future.
