The Assize Court of Indre-et-Loire delivered its verdict at 11 p.m. this Friday, May 13, after three days of trial. The man tried since Wednesday for the assassination of Yvette B., resident of Ehpad suffocated by a madeleine on May 13, 2019, was acquitted. When the verdict was announced, his supporters in the room applauded, quickly called to order by the president. “You are free, sir” she concluded.
His lawyers pleaded for nearly two hours this late Friday afternoon, pointing out the inconsistencies in the testimony of nursing home staff. “My father and I had made the same observation (…) this investigation, more than sloppy, it was not going in the right direction, it omitted a lot of things. Many investigations had not been made” declares Me Abed Benjador son – who pleaded with his father Me Bendjador. “This man has been locked up for three years, it is especially him and his wife that I think of.” Moved on leaving the room, the wife of the acquitted speaks of “the end of a long nightmare. It is a great pleasure to finally find my husband.”
The civil parties speak of surprise and disappointment. The public prosecutor who had asked for 20 years in prison can still appeal.