The trial of Ludovic Bertin opened on November 25 in Grenoble. He is accused of the murder of Victorine Dartois, in Villefontaine on September 26, 2020, and of attempted rape.
Ludovic Bertin participated in the first day of his trial for the murder of Victorine Dartois, wearing a gray polo shirt and with shaved hair, reports France Bleu this Monday, November 25.
In the presence of the victim’s family, the president read the indictment order, then the personality investigator presented his research, then Ludovic Bertin spoke: “I am happy that the judgment can begin, so that I can give as many explanations as possible to the Dartois family, even though I am aware that everything I say will not repair what I did,” he explained.
He “wants to be able to speak”
Ludovic Bertin admitted the murder while denying having attempted to rape the young woman. He “wants to be able to speak”, said his lawyer, Me Arnaud Adelise. “A person who envisages detention over a very long term must necessarily go through this stage,” he explained, referring to a “milestone for the continuation of this detention”.
“It’s a complicated day and Ludovic Bertin did not deign to give them a single look while my clients watched insistently, tirelessly,” lamented the family’s lawyer, Me Kelly Monteiro. “They need to hear their daughter’s executioner say what happened, he was the last one who saw her, and it’s important for the family to have this truth that they are really waiting,” she defended.
Victorine Dartois, who was a BTS communication student, disappeared on September 26, 2020. She was walking home in Villefontaine, about thirty kilometers southeast of Lyon, after seeing friends for an afternoon of shopping .
The second day of the trial will be devoted to the hearing of several witnesses, including the brother and two half-brothers of the accused. The debates are expected to last two weeks and the verdict should be delivered on December 6.
