Why open a third trial Outreau – Le Monde

Le Monde | 05/18/2015 at 7:41 p.m. • Updated 05/19/2015 at 10:13 | By Florence Aubenas

For the third time in eleven years, Daniel Legrand will appear from May 19 before a criminal court to answer the same folder it has already been paid: the Outreau case. The story seems even more improbable that nothing new has occurred in the survey: the reasons for the Outreau 3, which will last three weeks at Rennes, are purely procedural

. Pictured thirteen acquitted, posing on the steps of the Paris Courthouse 1 ^st December 2005, Neil Reagan was the youngster well capped man who seemed not to have enough words to tell her innocence. “When the police arrested me, I asked them:” This is for what? “They said” rape “. I heard “theft” so it seemed impossible. I never touched anyone even a woman, I swear. I am willing to submit to virginity tests. I am willing to pass a virginity test. “ He was 20, it was in 2001. A mother, her son and four two neighbors began to denounce a sprawling pedophile network, featuring more than 70 people, a bailiff, a priest, a German shepherd cows, porn shoots, farms in Belgium, children delivered by cars and even entire murder

Read our survey (edition subscribers). Outreau The endless trial

Now, after two Assize trial, one in Saint-Omer and the other in Paris on appeal, the record reveals incest in a camera stairwell, in Outreau, area of ​​the tower of Renard, near Boulogne-sur-Mer. Seventeen defendants in the dock, four acknowledge their involvement and are condemned Thierry and Myriam Delay Badawi, parents and the couple’s neighbors. As for the other thirteen – who deny – they are eventually acquitted, in tears and scandal. They are received in the Chancellery and Matignon, compensated; the Minister of Justice presented to them the apologies of the Republic. Among them, Daniel Legrand.

A Outreau, forgetfulness does not exist

In terms of the procedure, Legrand presents a special case. It celebrated its eighteen 15 July 1999, decreasing of the way, just in the middle of the period of the offenses being prosecuted running from 1997 to 2000. This happens regularly. In general, judges settle it simple: all the accused is referred to the Court of Assizes of minors, the reverse is not possible. But in October 2003, the investigatory chamber of Douai chooses another option, but legal staggering: sever the case of Daniel Legrand. It will be well judged with others – and therefore acquitted – for events subsequent to his majority, but also answer a trial before the Assizes of minors for the previous period, from 1997 to 1999

Long. The prospect of this Outreau 3 was repressed like a bad dream. Too many emotions, too many ghosts, too Outreau. Julien Delarue and Eric Dupont-Moretti, lawyers Daniel Legrand, tell also be received by the Attorney General of Douai in the euphoria acquittals: the magistrate had explained their will “forget” the latter case. It would indeed be forfeited automatically if it was not hearing within ten years from October 2003. So just wait. But in Outreau, forgetfulness does not exist.

When ringing 2013, hugs and promises antechamber seem less imperative. The color of time has changed too, imperceptibly. Very challenged in public for his trial, the judge Fabrice Burgaud has instead acquired a special place in the judiciary, that of the sin offering, which is recognized part of the institution, buffeted by the political and the press. In parallel, a current is gradually drawn through a documentary “Outreau, the other Truth” , various books, some blogs, more diverse as many, according to hearings . Meet there jumble of extreme right conspirationists, associations for children, lit of the missal, journalists, disappointed of justice who dream of revenge. The inventory should not stop there, but the speeches are alike. “A Outreau, the media and political power has saved pedo-criminals, who raped and killed children,” , says Alain Soral for example, ultra all edges and editor of a book. The goal: to reopen the case at any cost. They claim it.

It is in this context that in June 2013, the national union of magistrates-FO and “Innocence in Danger” child protection association, suddenly alarmed next prescription Legrand trial with the Prosecutor General of Douai. “We were very surprised to receive a fax immediately , remembers Homayra Sellier, president of the association. This must be the first time a prosecutor meets us as we write them regularly. “ The trial will take place, so in Rennes until June 6, 2015.

Daniel Legrand alone in the box

This time it is alone in the box that Daniel Legrand will scroll by tens of witnesses, endless and exhausted procession reappeared chasms of the case and which will travel to the bar for the third time, his twelve co acquitted, investigators, neighbors … But also Myriam Badaoui, family of mother, whose accusations and turnovers were dramatically defeated audience measurement in Saint-Omer in 2004. Sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, she was released on parole in 2011, leaving one in custody Thierry Delay, her ex-husband, whose sentence is 20 years

Two of their four son – for now – will be a civil party. Cherif and Jonathan, now adults. “I will be disappointed if Daniel Legrand was not convicted” , for example, said Jonathan Delay. It’s that side that could come any surprises at the hearing of Rennes. Since the announcement of the trial, social networks verge on hysteria. Ads, sometimes even personal, have been launched with other alleged victims of the case, to testify “that children are not liars” . There appears to promise “compensation” of the state to those who are recognized victims.

Since the foundation of Paris, however, an element came expand this folder, already heavy Odds of 15,000 not counting an information supplement. In 2002, a few months after his arrest, Neil Reagan wanted to set a trap for his accusers to recognize his innocence: he had invented the murder of a little girl in the apartment of Delay, exploding the record. The arrival of backhoes and a helicopter at the Tour du Renard had then feared a “Dutroux affair” to the French. No material that has never been found, and for good reason, this aspect of the case had also been severed at the time. A dismissal was made in 2007.