Death of Patrice Laniès at Bayonne festivals 2023: three suspects referred to criminal court
The Bayonne public prosecutor's office has requested that three people be referred to the criminal court in Pau for the death of Patrice Laniès. The facts have been reclassified as wilful violence resulting in death.
Bayonne festivals 2023: public prosecutor seeks referral to criminal court for death of Patrice Laniès
The Bayonne public prosecutor's office has requested that three people be referred to the criminal court in Pau in the case of Patrice Laniès' death, which occurred during the Bayonne festivals in July 2023. According to France Info, which confirms information published by ICI Pays Basque and Sud-Ouest, the investigating judge now has three months to make a decision.
The charges against the three suspects have been reclassified: they are no longer being prosecuted for murder, but for "wilful violence in a group resulting in death, without intention to cause it". For the other accused parties, the public prosecutor has requested dismissal.
From nine suspects to three referrals
During the preliminary investigation in 2023, nine people had been brought before the investigating judge. Seven of them had been charged with murder. Following three years of investigation, the public prosecutor identified three suspects for referral to the criminal court, whilst the others benefit from a dismissal.
A man beaten after accosting passers-by
The facts date back to 26 July 2023, the first day of the Bayonne festivals. Patrice Laniès, 46 years old, had asked a group of people to stop urinating on the entrance door of his building. In response, he was violently beaten. He died from his injuries.
Source: France Info