The Tucquegnieux femicide trial opens this Tuesday, November 12 in front of the assizes, in Nancy. More than four years after the death of Annick Bermand, strangled on the night of March 7 to 8, 2021, her ex-spouse, 59 years old, is on trial for homicide. Until Thursday, the court will delve into the history of this toxic relationship, punctuated by violence, in full view of all.
“We all thought she was beaten”
This March 12, 2021, he confesses to his doctor the murder of his ex-partner. He strangled her on the night of the 7th to the 8th, before covering her body with blankets. He justifies his act as “a bloodbath”, because he could no longer hear his ex-partner screaming. The fifty-year-old complains of domestic violencecoming from her. At the time of the events, the couple was separated but continued to live together at Annick Bermand's home in Tucquegnieux, in the Pays-Haut.
A man under the influence and who “freak out“, according to his lawyer, Maître Samira Boudiba. “There will be a discussion in my opinion on the domestic violence suffered by the men in this trial.“The lawyer who rejects the term femicide to refer to this murder. Incomprehensible line of defense for the lawyer for the civil parties, Maître Carole Airoldi-Martin.”In the file, we hear the neighbors saying it: we all thought she was beaten. But they had gotten used to it, as it was commonplace. Madame, it was Monsieur's pain, she tried to get out of it, she couldn't get rid of it. That we refuse the term femicide to this woman, I find that it is worse than anything.“
A tragedy that could have been avoided?
Indeed, arguments are regular. THE neighbors hear the insultsthreats, mutual, even calls for help. The couple's entourage describes a sanguine, manipulative man who refuses authority. The victim confided to his loved ones that he wanted to leave him for good when, on March 7, 2021, a new argument broke out. The police are called by the two protagonists. She tells them that she is afraid, that she does not feel safe. He says she's crazy. Two hours after their departure; he kills her. Could this murder have been avoided? Have there been any failures in the criminal chain ? Questions which will be asked implicitly during the three days of the trial.
