Lyhanna case: what the suspect told police
The first interviews with Jérôme Barrella, questioned after the death of an 11-year-old girl in the Gers, have been released. The 41-year-old man denies the charges whilst mentioning incriminating elements.
Lyhanna case: what the suspect told police
More than thirty days after the death of Lyhanna, 11 years old, in the Gers department, France Télévisions has obtained access to Jérôme Barrella's first statements made whilst under police custody. The farm labourer, aged 41, is suspected of the rape and murder of the young girl.
The interrogation took place on 30 May. The previous day, Lyhanna, a friend of his daughter, had last been seen in his company. Before the investigators, the suspect claims he drove her to the swimming pool. He describes a child who was "joyful", who was talking about Mother's Day and had asked him for the lift so she did not have to walk. He claims to have discovered her disappearance later in the day and says he was then "shocked".
The police are not convinced. On the day in question, the suspect had disposed of his mobile phone, which looks like an attempt to avoid being tracked by geolocation. The investigators learn moreover that he had already been subject to prosecution for sexual violence against minors. Text message exchanges with Lyhanna show an inappropriate tone, close to that of an adolescent. When questioned about the content of these messages, notably a question about his "love interests", he defends himself: according to him, there is nothing reprehensible in such conversations.
Of his own accord, he mentions having returned to his farm that day, referring to a grain silo whose door he claims he had forgotten to close. It was in a similar structure, where he had also worked, that the child's body would be found four days after his interrogation.
At no point did the suspect admit to the charges. A summons before the investigating magistrates is expected shortly.
Information from France Télévisions / franceinfo
Source: France Info