Man in his forties charged with rape and murder of 11-year-old schoolgirl in Gers
A 41-year-old man has been committed for trial for the murder and rape of a secondary school pupil in south-west France, after having previously been questioned over an abduction.
Man in his forties charged with rape and murder of 11-year-old schoolgirl in Gers
A 41-year-old temporary worker has been formally charged with the murder and rape of an 11-year-old child named Lyhanna. This information was reported by the BFMTV channel, reproduced by RTL Info. The suspect, who has already been questioned on several occasions, appeared before an investigating magistrate again this Wednesday. His appearance before the judge began around 9:30 a.m., with proceedings resuming in the early afternoon following an adjournment at noon.
The gendarmes had apprehended him the day after the disappearance of the young pupil, which occurred at the end of May. During an initial custody period, he was presented to a judge on 1 June, then remanded in custody for "abduction and unlawful confinement". At that point, he had chosen not to speak, avoiding all questions from the magistrate.
The results of the forensic medical examination conducted on the victim's body, known on 24 June, prompted the Public Prosecutor of Agen, Olivier Naboulet, to file a supplementary application. He requested the charging of the man "for murder and rape of a minor under fifteen years of age" by way of a supplementary motion.
The new court appearance followed a house search carried out on 6 July in the village of Montestruc-sur-Gers, where the suspect resides. This operation was conducted by investigators from the investigation section in Toulouse.
Contacted shortly before the resumption of questioning, the defence counsel, Sandra Vazquez and Eléonore Paré, stated that they would not issue any statements during the day.
Since his imprisonment on 1 June, the individual has been held at Mont-de-Marsan prison, where he is being held alone in a single cell.
Source: Google News MA — Crime (fr)