Romain Chevrel, 31, the alleged murderer of Vanesa, 14, was transferred to a psychiatric hospital on Thursday, November 24. The man had been indicted for the rape and murder of the teenager on November 20.
[Mis à jour le 25 novembre 2022 à 22h33] A week ago, to the day, Romain Chevrel confessed to the rape followed by the murder of Vanesa, a 14-year-old girl. Friday, November 25, the family and relatives of the victim gathered to pay tribute to the girl. A mass in the Notre-Dame church, followed by a white march, was organized in Tonneins, in Lot-et-Garonne. “Vanesa!”, “Justicia para Vanesa!”, He notably chanted in the procession. The victim’s mother also spoke briefly, not without a few tears. “I don’t have the words. Justice for Vanesa,” she said.
Earlier in the day, we learned that the main suspect in the Vanesa case, Romain Chevrel, had been transferred the day before to a psychiatric hospital. According to information from The Midi Dispatch, the 31-year-old man was heard during an interview by an agent from the probation and integration service (SPIP). During this meeting, Romain Chevrel reportedly told his interlocutor that he wanted to end his life. The detainee was then transferred to the Candélie psychiatric hospital, located a few kilometers from Agen. He is now being cared for there.
How to permanently avoid prison?
Not so sure. The Midi Dispatch has already specified that Romain Chevrel could only stay a few days in this psychiatric hospital, before returning to prison. Indicted for kidnapping, forcible confinement, rape and murder, Sunday, November 20, he still faces life imprisonment. It remains to be seen whether the suspect, who claimed that he felt “an urge” when he saw Vanesa pass on the sidewalk while smoking cannabis in his car, will be held criminally responsible.
Romain Chevrel had to quickly be the subject of psychological expertise, we learned at the start of the week. As a reminder, according toarticle 122-2 of the penal code, “is not criminally responsible the person who acted under the influence of a force or constraint which he could not resist”. For his part, Romain Chevrel’s lawyer told France 3 Regions that his client “is responsible, but he does not give an explanation”. To be continued…