Published
Video duration:
55 mins
In 2000, Gabriel Iacono, 9 years old, accused his grandfather Christian Iacono, then mayor of Vence, of having raped him. The latter will be sentenced to nine years in prison. But a few months after the appeal trial, Gabriel, then aged 20, recanted. In 2015, Christian Iacono was acquitted, found to be the victim of a miscarriage of justice. What happened ?
It is the story of a family torn apart by a terrible lie. During the summer of 2000, Gabriel Iacono, 9 years old at the time, accused his grandfather Christian Iacono, then mayor of Vence, of having raped him. Two clans will then form: the first around the grandson, surrounded by his parents. The other around the grandfather, with the aunt and the grandmother.
Eleven years of conflict
For eleven years, the two parties will face each other in court using medical analyzes and psychological counter-analyses. At the time, almost all experts considered the word of grandson Gabriel Iacono credible. His grandfather will be found guilty and sentenced to nine years in prison.
But a few months after the appeal trial, Gabriel Iacono, now a young man of 20, was the author of a twist: he retracted. He explains that he invented everything. In 2015, Christian Iacono was finally acquitted and cleared of all suspicion, recognized as the victim of a miscarriage of justice.
New elements on Gabriel’s retraction
Why did Gabriel recant? The question still divides the Iacono family, between those who remain convinced of Christian Iacono’s guilt, and those who say they are relieved that Gabriel admitted to having lied.
The program narrated by Fabrice Drouelle returns to a case which raises the question of the child’s speech, even before the Outreau affair. “Sensitive Affairs” collected the testimonies of the grandfather and his grandson. A legal expert as well as a magistrate who worked on the case speak for the first time. The documentary also reveals new elements on the retraction of Gabriel Iacono.
A documentary directed by Adrian Jaouen, Paul Cabanis and Michel Pignard / France TV Presse.
“Sensitive Affairs”, a co-production between France Télévisions, France TV presse, France Inter and INA, adapted from a France Inter broadcast.
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