In Rouen, the “taxi” who ran over a young woman after the Music Festival denies all

Published: July 6, 2022 at 3:46 p.m.

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Tall and very thin in his pants and his faded denim jacket, fine mustache, this thirty-year-old is somewhat (too?) casual on Wednesday July 6, 2022 in front of the Rouen chamber of instruction.

“Rapist and attempted murderer, maybe I deserve the death penalty or at least a big penaltyhe blurted out before the judges who must decide on his release or continued detention. I deny having wanted to kill this woman or hit anyone, I deny having raped her but I admit having kidnapped her and taken her 15 km from Rouen. She didn’t want to pay for the fare.”.

No contrition towards the victims when he risks the assize court. In effect, this self-employed taxi driver is being prosecuted – and imprisoned since June 23, 2022 – for attempted murder, rape, kidnapping and forcible confinement.

Beretta in the glove box

A case far from having gone unnoticed since the attempted homicide took place on June 22, 2022, around 2 a.m., shortly after the Fête de la Musique, in Rouen, rue Jeanne-d’Arc.

At the wheel of his BMW 3 Series, this young man ran over a young woman whose pelvis was crushed, and hit her brother with his vehicle. In the glove box, a Beretta pistol that the suspect was authorized to possess but not to carry; and in his pocket, a knife.

During his arrestand after he tried to continue on his way, one of the policemen drew his service weapon.

“There are inconsistencies in the statements of the victim and those of the CRS. My client can stay with his mother in Dijon”pleads Me Julia Massardier, who requests the placement under judicial control of this taxi without a license – this withdrawal had not been notified to him.

“I don’t think he wanted to kill”

Often, the accused, single without children previously convicted of theft of license plates, rolls his eyes at the facts. But remains impassive when Me Saliha Blazouz, lawyer for the young woman, psychologically and psychiatrically fragile, still hospitalized, assures that her client fears reprisals.

Unsurprisingly, Advocate General Claude Ruard requires continued detention, in particular because not all the protagonists have been heard. “But I do not believe in the will of the accused to have wanted to kill the victim. And it was she who went to see him on the sidelines of the Music Festival “she tempers.

The judges will render their decision on Thursday July 7, 2022.

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Music Abduction Accusation Hearing in court Investigation Investigation Justice, rights and freedom Sentences Police Prison Injuries State of health Rouen (Seine-Maritime) Sotteville-lès-Rouen (Seine-Maritime) Dijon (Côte-d’Or)

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