Credits: Tingey Injury Law Firm / Unsplash.
The Bas-Rhin Assizes Court is this week trying a 45-year-old man accused of strangling his ex-partner in December 2020. The tragedy unfolded in front of their children after years of domestic violence that went unaddressed by the authorities.
The victim’s body, 25, was found buried in a forest near Strasbourg a few days after she disappeared. She had been strangled for at least six minutes and had stab wounds. The events took place in her apartment, in the presence of their four children, aged 2 to 7.
The two eldest told investigators about an argument between their parents while they were watching cartoons. The father accused the mother of being in love with another man. The children tried to make noise to alert the neighbor, but without success.
The man eventually confessed to his crime, overwhelmed by the evidence: his DNA on a knife, the victim’s blood in the apartment and on his shoes. During questioning, he blamed the victim, citing a toxic relationship and mutual violence.
The investigation revealed thirteen police reports, four complaints, and one report of domestic violence. Even so, the authorities took only limited action, such as a simple warning to comply with the law.
According to experts, the accused has antisocial personality disorder. He already has ten convictions on his record. Even though he now faces life imprisonment, one has to wonder how much longer women will finally be better protected in our country.