Suspect in Lyhanna's death charged with murder and rape
A 41-year-old temporary worker was presented to investigating judges. He is suspected of kidnapping and killing an 11-year-old schoolgirl in the Gers department.
Suspect in Lyhanna's death charged with murder and rape
A 41-year-old man employed as a temporary worker was brought before magistrates in Agen after being removed from his cell in Mont-de-Marsan. He is the subject of judicial proceedings relating to the disappearance and death of an 11-year-old schoolgirl in the Gers department, according to 20 Minutes.
During the interview with investigators, the individual briefly discussed matters concerning him before invoking his right to remain silent. The deputy public prosecutor confirmed this in a written statement.
Following this confrontation, new charges were added to his file. He is now being prosecuted for causing the death of a person under fifteen years of age, with the aggravating circumstance of sexual abuse, as well as sexual assault on a minor. Initially, he was only facing charges of kidnapping and unlawful confinement.
The alert had been raised at the end of May by the victim's relatives, who had lost contact with her. Witnesses had seen her get into the suspect's car. The forensic medical examination did not provide a definitive answer regarding the precise causes of death, according to local judicial authorities.
This case revealed failures in the functioning of services responsible for law and order and justice. In August of the previous year, another mother had reported the same man for repeated touching of her daughter, also eleven years old. This testimony had not received the required attention.
An evaluation mission delivered a preliminary report on 22 June, highlighting shortcomings in the organisation and follow-up of the investigation. The Justice Minister indicated that a thousand proceedings involving offences against children had been elevated to priority status following a mobilisation of the prosecution offices.
Source: Google News FR — Crime (fr)