The case of the murder of Alexia Fouillot continues to drag on. This Thursday must be unveiled the decision of the correctional appeals chamber concerning the claims for compensation from the victim’s family.
More than two years after the conviction of Jonathann Daval (November 21, 2019), found guilty of the murder of his wife and punished by twenty-five years of criminal imprisonment, the question of the interest he must pay is again on the table.
In the first instance, in May 2021, a decision had imposed on him the sum of 165,000 € to be paid to the relatives of Alexia. They had immediately appealed, because they demanded much more.
In total, the victim’s family members wish to receive nearly 600,000 euros, reports L’Est Républicain: 150,000 euros for the parents (they had received 50,000 euros) and 60,000 euros for commercial loss concerning their coffee, 100,000 euros for the sister, the same for her husband (18,000 euros and 8,000 euros allocated last year). Added to this are inheritance costs of 20,500 euros.
Media coverage at the heart of requests
The legal battle waged by the family essentially revolves around the prejudice of media coverage. However, this damage was not retained by the judgment of first instance. The lawyer for the civil parties, Me Portejoie, believes that Jonathann Daval is solely responsible for it around the case, and that his clients subsequently gave interviews only to defend themselves. The representative of the convict, Me Briquet, points out that both parties are responsible and that the suffering felt by the family cannot be blamed on media coverage.
In parallel with the question of compensation is another issue: that of the house of Coupe Daval, where the murder took place. Half of it belongs to Jonathann, half to Alexia’s heirs. Estimated at 170,000 euros but reduced to a value of 150,000 euros, because of a “loss in value”, the relatives of the victim would like to recover it. The convict not wishing to give up his share, Alexia’s family would like the compensation inflicted on the murderer to take into account the amount they will have to pay to redeem it.