The death threat message promised decapitation to Marie-Hélène Thoraval, the mayor of Romans-sur-Isère, and to
“juggle with [her] skull”.
Two months later, the man who is accused of having sent these words to the councilor via private Instagram messaging at the end of November is on trial at the Valencia court on February 5.
In total, Marie-Hélène Thoraval had received four distinct death threats in a few days, on the sidelines of the wave of emotion aroused by the murder of young Thomas in Crépol, a news story that became national.
Regarding the death threats on Instagram,
“they were not simple intimidation.
In this case, I would not have talked about it
,” said Marie-Hélène Thoraval, who will be represented by Me Sarah Ivanovitch at the hearing.
The councilor, who did not benefit from state protection during this period, judges that this second defendant, unlike the previous one, presented in his message
"a real determination, which could give rise to fears of a move into action" .
Today, she is once again awaiting a
“firm response”
from the State.
“We cannot ignore such behavior
,” argues Le
Figaro
the one whose council will plead in this direction.
“I will emphasize the seriousness of the words used.
And on the consequences that this may have for Ms. Thoraval.
Because the threats thus made can give the idea to others to do the same
,” explains Me Ivanovitch.
Arrested in the Paris region
Opposite, the accused, aged 27 and who has already been convicted for having sent previous threats online, disputes the facts with which he is accused.
According to his counsel, Me Ivan Flaud, the man presents psychological fragility and behavioral problems, which could reflect an alteration of discernment at the time when he addressed these death threats to the mayor of Romans.
Marginalized, he lives with his mother, in Montreuil, in the Paris region where, apart from a few periods of work as a temporary worker, he spends most of his time playing video games.
“He is a young man lost in his world.
He spends his nights on the internet and sleeps during the day.
He has no friends
,” says Me Flaud, who specifies that his client is not on S file.
During the first hearing postponed in December, his indifferent attitude was also out of place given the violence of the threats of which he is accused of being the author.
For Me Flaud, it highlights a disconnected psychological personality, incapable of taking action.
“He has no particular hatred for Ms. Thoraval, nor animosity for her political speech.
“It’s the opposite of an activist
,” judges his council.
Psychiatric expertise expected
This Monday, the hearing debates will focus, above all, on the results of a psychiatric expertise, requested by Me Flaud when the trial was postponed a month and a half ago.
“These conclusions will allow us to establish whether we are faced with someone who is conscious of his actions or not
,” specifies the lawyer.
Unless the expert opinion, still expected this Monday morning, is not delivered to the parties by the expert in time.
“If we cannot rely on this document, we will not be able to gain insight into the personality and motivations of my client.
He cannot therefore be judged
,” concludes the latter.
A first individual, a repeat offender and residing in Marseille, was sentenced to 8 months in prison on December 6 for having, during a call to the town hall switchboard, asked if the elected official had a Kalashnikov to defend herself, and bodyguards.
He must also pay a 500 euro fine to the councilor, who had announced during the judgment that he wanted to pay this sum to the Remaid association, specializing in the protection of victims.
For the rest, the Romans-sur-Isère judicial police are still carrying out investigations to find the perpetrators of the last two threats.