Jonathann Daval is currently on trial at the Assizes for the murder of his wife, née Alexia Fouillot. On November 19, 2020, Alexia's mother read a love letter from the young woman. A poignant and important moment.
Tried for the murder of his wife Alexia Fouillot in October 2017, Jonathann Daval appears before the Assize Court of Haute-Saône and the Territoire de Belfort until November 20, 2020. Wednesday 18 was marked by the moving intervention of the father of the victim, who said he hoped for a maximum sentence for Jonathann Daval, and his mother, who invited the accused to take his responsibilities. As France Info explains, she had previously read a letter written by Alexia Fouillot on the occasion of Valentine's Day, eight years after their meeting. The victim was then 24 and the accused was 29.
Alexia's love letter
Here are the words read by Isabelle Fouillot in court:
"For my Valentine whom I love so much.
For Valentin, for having looked at you one day, the meaning of my life changed, that look did not warn me that I was going to fall in love, with an atypical being, as nice as an imp. Eight years that we share our lives, that we are a couple. To you all alone, you represent my friend, my lover, my confidant. You are one of the most important people in my life, along with Happy (the couple's cat, Editor's note).
You are essential to make my Earth turn. I know how trustworthy you are, and how much I can count on you. We have had some wonderful times and I hope to experience many more, I imagine a future filled with love with you.
Three words can sum it up, three words so important, so sincere, which mean a lot. I love you.
I need your calming presence, your arms that hug me, your hands that cover me with hugs, your eyes that make me feel better. Need your lips, your dream voice, if you love me, take care of me, fill me. I love you."
Talk about the victim rather than the culprit
If Isabelle Fouillot chose to state these lines, it is in particular because for the lawyers of Jonathann Daval, "Alexia had an overwhelming personality" and the accused would have felt "completely crushed, demeaned" within his couple (comments made on TF1 in January 2018). By reading this letter, the mother of the victim sought to show the jury how much Alexia Fouillot loved her husband. This time of the trial, which left the court in a state of emotion, according to journalists present, was therefore strategically important. But not only. Since yesterday, the media have been reporting on the tears shed by Jonathann Daval, followed by his vagal discomfort, which led to the postponement of the hearing. Alexia Fouillot eventually disappears in favor of the accused. Reading Alexia's words was therefore essential to humanize the victim: thanks to her family, she will have resumed her voice.