France created, in March 2022, a specialized jurisdiction, called a “cold case pole” to investigate unsolved criminal cases. Around a hundred procedures are under investigation. One of the recent successes of the new unit is the case of Monique Olivier, the wife of serial killer Michel Fourniret, who has been appearing before the Nanterre Assize Court since November 28. The verdict is expected this Tuesday.
A Belfort, a family fought with determination for the creation of this jurisdiction, the family of Stéphane Dieterich, this young 24-year-old Belfortain, killed by several stab wounds in July 1994. It took 21 years for investigators to unmask the author, a close friend of the young man.
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And it is thanks to the unfailing determination of the family that has multiplied the media operations to relaunch the investigation. Sylvain, Stéphane’s brother, spared no effort: “With the fight of our family, but also of all our supporters and after being received by ministers and three presidents of the Republic, we contributed to the creation of this cold case pole. We fought, not only for my brother, but for all those families like ours who have gone through the ordeal.”
Family mobilization helps continue the investigation
Commander Patrick Le Barre of the Doubs police remembers. Young investigator at the Besançon judicial police in 1998, he took over the Dieterich case which he followed from reopening to reopening until its conclusion, 22 years after the murder of Belfort. “Through its regular mobilizations, notably Sylvain’s concerts, the Dieterich family has succeeded in maintaining this unresolved business spirit in the sector. The first concern of the families, and especially of the investigators, is to produce acts to protect themselves from ‘a prescription’.
It was one of the flyers, left by the Dieterich family in the businesses of Belfort, which made it possible to awaken this essential witness who made Christophe Blind, the murderer finally convicted, break down. “Over time, witnesses can come out of their silence. 20 years later, sometimes, the word is freed. New, sometimes decisive elements may emerge in a Cold Case investigation to better understand a past situation.adds Commander Le Barre.
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2023-12-18 03:33:55
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