The accused had a difficult childhood, with early emotional deficiencies. He was also confronted with violence very early in his youth. His polydrug addiction was still very active at the time of the events. Even if Jimmy Verniers did not feel intoxicated at the time of the events, because he believes that alcohol and drugs no longer have much effect on him due to addiction.
“He was frightening with his strange attitude”
The court was able to hear from a direct witness to the facts. This witness was in the company of Francesco Polizzi when he was stabbed to death. He occupied the same building as Jimmy Verniers, who had welcomed Francesco Polizzi into his home since his release from prison five days earlier.
The witness confirmed that a previous altercation had taken place during the evening for a financial reason, the details of which he was unable to specify. Jimmy Verniers then went to a friend’s house to call the police. Then, he decided to go to the Huy police station. At the same time, the witness and Francesco Polizzi decided to go to a store to buy alcoholic drinks. They then came across Jimmy Verniers who was coming back from the police station and showing a smile.
“Francesco Polizzi then said that he was going to take away his smile. He approached him twice and an altercation began. Jimmy Verniers was on the ground and Francesco Polizzi leaned over him and wanted to hit him Jimmy made a move towards him, but I didn’t see a knife. Immediately afterwards, Francesco Polizzi shouted that Jimmy Verniers had stuck him.detailed the witness.
-The latter had initially indicated having seen a shot from Jimmy Verniers towards Francesco Polizzi. But in court, he did not confirm this information. “I saw blood on Francesco Polizzi’s hands. He was no longer breathing and I gave him cardiac massage. I did not intervene, because both knew how to defend themselves. But I can’t say if there was an intentional gesture or if it was accidental.”said the witness.
Five young people who were in the house the evening before the incident gave information relating to the personality of Francesco Polizzi. The man told them he had just been released from prison after serving a 10-year sentence. “He was behaving strangely. He said he wanted to rebuild himself. He had knocked out two of Jimmy Verniers’ teeth over a cocaine incident. He said he was subletting an apartment in the building and was frightening with his strange attitude.”indicated these witnesses.
The last witnesses will be heard Wednesday morning.
