Ten years in prison were required this Saturday in appeal to the Eure assizes against Alexandra Richard, accused of having killed her violent partner in 2016. The 43-year-old woman was sentenced to this sentence first instance.
To read also "If you leave me I'll kill you": the story of Alexandra Richard, tried on appeal for the murder of her violent spouse
In November 2020, the public prosecutor had requested the same sentence of ten years imprisonment, but for "
willful violence resulting in death without intention to give it
" while the Advocate General chose Saturday the qualification of "
murder
".
For "
murder
", an accused faces life imprisonment while for "
willful violence resulting in death with intent to give it
", twenty years.
"
It can't be willful violence without intention to give it, it's murder."
She obviously has extenuating circumstances, that's for sure.
But we cannot kill in this context
, ”said Advocate General Patrice Lemonnier.
"The more time passes, the more she adds"
Alexandra Richard was sentenced in November 2020 by the Seine-Maritime Assize Court for the murder, with a hunting rifle, of her 36-year-old spouse on October 16, 2016, at their home in Montreuil-en-Caux.
The latter, in a state of intoxication, had just risen from his chair, threatening to "
kick his ass
", she explained.
On the day of the tragedy, the accused affirms that her husband began to drink at noon and that she told him that she was going to leave him.
Read also Alexandra Richard case: a woman convicted of the murder of her violent spouse tried on appeal
During his indictment, the Advocate General admitted that the victim, who had been convicted in 1999 for having shot a rival in love, could have bouts of violence: “
We know that he could be verbally violent.
When he was drunk and upset, he could go on the punch.
"
However, he believes that the accused, mother of three children, has "
a difficulty with reality
": "
Alexandra Richard has developed elements of aggression, death threats which are not verifiable.
The more time passes, the more she adds
, slices the public prosecutor.
Someone had to pull the trigger.
That day, she pulled the trigger.
"
Self-defense
During her plea, the lawyer for the accused, Me Lorraine Questiaux, pleaded for self-defense: “
If she seized this weapon, it was to defend herself.
Self-defense against this man who could have killed her.
And to add, addressing the jurors:
If you are asked the question about self-defense, you will answer yes.
"
"
The fluctuations of the versions of Alexandra Richard are not linked to a maneuver: it is the result of trauma, fear, deficiencies in the collection of his words,
" added the defense.
The verdict of the trial, which began in Évreux on Tuesday, is expected by the end of the day.