Judges in France have acknowledged a potential racist motive against whites in the murder case of Thomas Perotto in the village of Crêpol (Drome department), adding the corresponding aggravating circumstance to the case. This was reported by Denis Dreyfus, the lawyer for the civil parties and the victims’ association in Crêpol, confirming information previously released by Europe 1.
Investigating judges applied this qualification to all defendants in the case following appeals from some civil parties, who argued that testimony regarding hostile remarks against white individuals at the end of the village ball had not been adequately considered. They concluded that the crime may have been motivated by the actual or presumed belonging or non-belonging of the victim to a specific race, ethnic group, nation, or religion, “in this case — to the white race and French nation,” a source close to the case told franceinfo. The prosecutor of Valence, Laurent de Caigny, did not respond to journalists’ inquiries.
Circumstances of Thomas’ murder
On the night of November 18 to 19, 2023, young people, some from the disadvantaged area of La Monnaie in Romans-sur-Isère, clashed with youths from Crêpol following a “winter ball” in the village. In the chaos of the fight, knives were used, resulting in four people sustaining serious injuries. Among them was Thomas Perotto, a 16-year-old high school student and rugby player, who died while being transported to the hospital.
During the investigation, witnesses reported “racist insults” that they claimed came “from both sides.” However, the prosecution in its submission in June did not acknowledge the “racial motive of the events.” Following the incident, 14 young men were detained and charged with murder and attempted murder committed by an organized group. None of them admitted to delivering the fatal knife wound.
Further procedural actions
In May, the investigating judges informed the parties about the completion of the pre-trial investigation. A month later, the prosecution requested that the case of 11 defendants be referred to the jury court on charges of murder and attempted murder, without considering the aggravating circumstance of an organized group. Subsequently, all parties submitted their comments, and on Monday, the judges issued a new notice regarding the completion of the investigation. They must now decide whether to refer the case to court, agreeing or disagreeing with the prosecution’s requests.
Source: France Info
