Maëlys: “The hardest part will be the reconstruction for this family”

“In a way, the day after is the hardest.” The day after Nordahl Lelandais was sentenced to life with a 22-year security sentence, Maëlys’ mother’s lawyer reacts to the microphone of Europe 1. “The hardest part will be reconstruction for this family” , assures Me Fabien Rajon.

“Manage after”

After three weeks of a trial which should finally shed light on the death of the little girl, the test would therefore only begin to believe the advice of the mother. “An assize trial like this is a lot of tension. It’s a pressure that, in a way, also carries. But now, they will necessarily return to a form of anonymity.” It is therefore now necessary to “manage the after”. A step for which it is necessary “that the people who will have the opportunity to surround this family do so. And that the anonymous, the witnesses, the simple French people who listen to us can continue to support them.”

The confrontation between Colleen and Lelandais

Especially since, “for many reasons”, this case represents “the fight of a lifetime” for the De Araujo family. A fight punctuated by very strong moments, especially when Colleen, Maëlys’ big sister, directly challenged Nordahl Lelandais at the helm. “It was a strong moment that we had prepared together and besides, the preparation was also a strong moment for both of us”, informs the lawyer at the microphone of Europe 1. “I saw that Colleen, a somewhat introverted teenager, revealing herself as we progressed towards her seats. And then, there was this fateful moment when, indeed, she turned to Lelandais and she asked him questions directly , where she held the gaze of the accused. It was indeed a very strong moment and I think it will help to move forward.”