The authors of offensive X and Facebook posts accompanied by private information on the suspects in the investigation into the death of Thomas in Crépol on November 19, 2023 were sentenced this Thursday, October 31.
Nine Internet users were sentenced this Thursday, October 31 to sentences ranging from 500 euros to four months in prison for the dissemination on their social networks of hateful messages, names and addresses of young people suspected of being involved in the death of young Thomas in Crépol (Drôme) in November 2023.
Tried in September during two hearings before the 17th chamber of the criminal court – the court specializing in press cases – they responded to the accusations of “provocation not followed by effect to commit a crime”, “public insult due to origin”“disclosure of personal data”, or even “death threats”. Sentences ranging from four months of detention to two months suspended, as well as citizenship courses at their expense, had been requested by the prosecutor who had described them as “speech offenders.
Most received fines ranging between 800 euros, 10 euros per day for 100 days (1,000 euros, therefore) and 1,500 euros. The criminal court nevertheless found the alteration of discernment for one of them, sentenced to a fine of 500 euros. Several must also pay a few hundred euros for moral damage to the civil parties.
A “speech delinquency” unleashed on social networks
Their messages had been posted on Facebook or around ten young people from outside the village.
“Real white heads, to be vaccinated directly with a gun»: this was the message which accompanied the sharing of the photos and names of the suspects on the profile of Lionel G., a 55-year-old truck driver. Gaël L., 56 years old, had relayed a list of addresses of young people implicated with writing: “The names of the assassins that the police tried to hide from you are now known.” Some Internet users had opted for a dubious irony on the origin of the suspects like “always the same profiles, Swedes from a good family», posted by Jean-Marie L., 40 years old, manager of a small business.
The only one to have been released was a 53-year-old housewife, Marylène P., who admitted on the stand “a big stupidity » and apologized for republishing the address list.
During the trial of five of these defendants on September 4, several presented very confusing explanations, giving the impression of not understanding the reasons for their presence. The court then reminded them that the suspects’ families had received threatening calls and letters at their homes.
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