A French man accused of killing a schoolgirl more than three decades ago went on trial Monday in one of the country’s longest-running cold cases to reach court.
Seventeen-year-old Nadege Desnoix was found stabbed to death in May 1994 near her high school in Château-Thierry, Aisne region. For years the case remained unsolved, despite investigators pursuing multiple leads, until DNA evidence pointed to Pascal Lafolie, now 58, who was arrested in 2021.
Prosecutors say new genetic tests linked Lafolie to a hairband worn by Desnoix on the day she died. He faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted. A verdict is expected Wednesday.
Lafolie, who has previous convictions for rape and sexual assault, initially confessed during questioning but later recanted, insisting he is innocent. His lawyer, Justine Devred, argued that her client suffers memory lapses from events dating back more than 30 years.
According to his account, Lafolie was in the area with his brother when they encountered the girl. He claims he tried to intervene when his brother allegedly attacked her, but was struck on the head, leaving him unable to recall details. His brother, however, has been ruled out of the case and died before Lafolie’s arrest.
“It’s a miracle that we have got this far,” said Arnaud Miel, lawyer for the victim’s mother.
AFP
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