She had increased the number of complaints and alerts against her violent ex-partner.
The family of a woman victim of femicide in 2021 in Bordeaux has initiated proceedings for “gross negligence” against the State, we learned on Tuesday from her lawyer.
The victim's mother, brother and minor daughter, among other relatives represented by Me Elsa Crozatier, believe that the judicial institution has failed in its "fundamental mission of protecting citizens".
They are seeking compensation via this procedure brought before the Paris court and announced by France Inter.
Sandra, 30, was fatally stabbed at her home on July 2, 2021. Her ex-companion Mickaël, 36, from whom she had separated, was arrested shortly after at his home a few hundred meters away.
He must be tried for murder by the Gironde Assize Court.
“Malfunctions”
Relatives point to a certain number of “dysfunctions”, the young woman having filed a complaint several times for domestic violence and harassment.
They criticize the family affairs judge for having refused on March 2, 2021, in accordance with the position of the prosecution, to grant the mother a protection order.
She thus wanted to prohibit her ex-spouse from coming into contact with her or their daughter, born in 2017, as recommended by an association.
Also read: The battle of femicide orphans for better monitoring: “The law adds violence to violence”
They also consider it “incomprehensible that no prosecution was initiated” from the first complaint, on January 6, 2021, when the violence was “characterized” according to them.
Finally, they denounce the “refusal” of the police to register, on March 28, 2021, a new complaint from the victim for harassment, on the grounds that the incriminated facts took place “on the public highway”.
She had only been able to remove a handrail.
Two days later, she sent an “urgent appeal for help” to the Presidency of the Republic, by email, and to the Bordeaux prosecutor, by mail: “It is certain that I will not last long in these conditions and I fear the worst outcome without your intervention,” she wrote.
On April 15, the prosecution ordered a social investigation, entrusted to an association.
After a final complaint, the victim was interviewed by the police on May 24, repeating that he felt in danger, and the ex-partner was placed in police custody on June 29.
Referred to the prosecution, he emerged with a summons to appear on November 16 and a judicial control prohibiting him from entering into contact with the victim.
She was found dead three days later.