"I am a killer": scenes of chaos at the Foix courthouse
A 56-year-old man insulted three women at Foix courthouse on 22 July 2026, declaring himself "a killer". He was sentenced to four months' imprisonment.
"I am a killer": scenes of chaos at the Foix courthouse
According to Google News FR — Crime (fr), a 56-year-old man, Gérard, appeared before Foix tribunal after insulting and threatening three women within the courthouse itself on 22 July 2026. He was sentenced to four months' imprisonment.
The facts began that day when Gérard presented himself at the courthouse, claiming he wanted to obtain help following an assault of which he said he was a victim a few days earlier. He went to the office of the psychologist at the victim support association. She offered him an appointment; he refused, and the situation escalated rapidly.
According to the victim, Gérard insulted her, threatened her and presented himself as "a killer". He allegedly also stated: "I'll come back and I'll fuck you good and hard." At the bar, he acknowledged having been aggressive but cited a state of shock. "I was in serious distress, I was about to pass out," he said. He also mentioned having consumed Armagnac to relieve his pain. His recorded blood alcohol level was only 0.12 mg/l of exhaled air, however.
After his arrest, the incidents continued at the police station. Gérard attacked a police lieutenant, whom he initially mistook for the psychologist. "Bitch, cow," the report states. The police officer identified herself and asked him to stop. During his booking, he then made sexually connotated remarks towards a 25-year-old forensic technician. At the hearing, he played down the incident: "I was a bit funny, it's not my fault if she was dressed sexily." The court did not share this interpretation. The young woman's lawyer argued: "These are difficult words."
A hearing marked by digressions
Gérard chose from the outset of the hearing to represent himself, revoking his lawyer. "I'll represent myself," he announced. The judge insisted: "Is that final, do you have no lawyer?" "No." His lawyer then sat in the front row, facing the dock, to follow the proceedings.
Throughout the hearing, Gérard's speech proved disjointed. He mentioned a "blacklist" on which his father-in-law and several people from his circle featured. He mentioned his drug consumption, his criminal past and the grievances he harboured towards various people. "I am very aware of what I am saying," he claimed, before mentioning the purchase of a weapon to defend himself. The judge attempted several times to regain control of the hearing; Gérard interrupted, addressed the various parties and made numerous digressions. His behaviour led the judge to prohibit him from continuing certain interventions.
When reminded of his statement to the psychologist, Gérard did not shy away: "Yes, it's true, I killed when I was 16." He thus himself made reference to his conviction to twenty years' imprisonment for murder and armed robbery, pronounced in 1990 when he was still a minor. His criminal record currently contains 14 entries, including convictions for aggravated theft, violence, destruction of property and escape.
Psychiatric profile and sentence
The psychiatrist appointed to examine him found neither abolition nor impairment of discernment at the time of the events. The assessment noted a disorder related to psychoactive substance use, as well as antisocial and narcissistic personality traits. At the bar, Gérard showed no willingness to stop his consumption. "I am still an addict," he said. "I don't take it every day given that it costs money."
In his final statements, he again attempted to convince the court of his good faith. "I am very courteous and very polite," he claimed — a statement contradicted by all the testimony and procedural documents entered into the file. The court ultimately sentenced him to four months' imprisonment.
The name has been changed.
Source: Google News FR — Crime (fr)