Fifteen years in prison for cousin gunman as victim testimony becomes centrepiece of trial
A criminal court in Basse-Terre imposed a heavy sentence on Lenny Brinvillier after his cousin recounted how she received three bullets, one of which remained embedded in her chest for six months.
Fifteen years in prison for cousin gunman as victim testimony becomes centrepiece of trial
An assizes judge in Basse-Terre handed down a sentence of fifteen years' imprisonment against Lenny Brinvillier, found guilty of attempting to kill his cousin. The case was heard over three days, from 15 to 17 June.
The injured party, who has been receiving psychiatric medical follow-up for two months, gave evidence before the magistrates and jury on the second day of proceedings. Accompanied by two healthcare professionals, she described the physical and psychological aftermath of the attack: three bullets struck her, two in the upper limbs and one in the thoracic region, where it remained for six months.
She also described the terror she experienced during the attack, notably when she lay on the ground and when she had barricaded herself in a bathroom. Since then, she has lived in seclusion in her room, systematically locking the door.
During her examination, she made new allegations: non-consensual touching by one of the accused and death threats from a third party directed at the second defendant. These statements, which were not recorded in the case file and lacked any formal complaint or evidence, were contested by the defence counsels.
The defendants' lawyers questioned the reliability of the complainant's account, highlighting her vulnerable state. They expressed concern that these unexpected revelations might prejudice the jury's reasoning, with a decision expected on 17 June.
The magistrate presiding over the proceedings, the public prosecutor and the counsel for the injured party countered that the oral nature of the procedure allowed the victim to freely express what she had endured.
Source: RCI
Source: Google News GP — Crime