Trial for attempted murder in Baie-Mahault: heavy sentences sought
Two cousins appeared in court for a family shooting that took place in September 2024. The prosecution requested a severe conviction for each.
Trial for attempted murder in Baie-Mahault: heavy sentences sought
The Basse-Terre court was due to deliver its judgment on 17 June in a case of particularly serious intrafamilial violence. Two cousins were on trial for offences dating back to 17 September 2024, when a young woman was shot in Baie-Mahault.
During proceedings held mid-morning, the public prosecutor's representative made substantial submissions. He sought a sentence of fifteen years' imprisonment, with a ten-year security period, for the alleged shooter. His accomplice, accused of helping him escape, faced a prosecution submission of five years' detention.
The magistrates attempted to establish clearly the share of responsibility of each. The first accused allegedly took a loaded firearm and fired several times in the direction of his relative, hitting her at least twice. The second allegedly followed him throughout the operation and then facilitated his escape. The victim, who was attempting to reach her family home, survived but has since suffered severe psychological consequences.
The lawyer for the injured parties, Maître Gabriel Danchet-Gordien, highlighted the devastating impact of the assault. His client is now being followed by mental health specialists and lives under the constant threat of a fresh attack.
The defence counsels attempted to temper the culpability of their clients. For one of the defendants, his counsel denied any active involvement. For the main accused, his defence lawyer invoked a troubling emotional context: he allegedly acted in the heat of emotion after seeing his mother mistreated.
This argument failed to persuade the prosecution, which recalled the shooter's prior convictions. He allegedly committed two armed robberies before this incident, and two others in the weeks following. These elements led the prosecution to argue for an exemplary conviction reflecting the dangerousness of the defendant.
Source: RCI
Source: Google News GP — Crime