Monday June 27, 2022, the trial of the alleged assassin of Sophie Le Tan opened, three years after her murder. At the sight of the accused, the victim’s mother collapsed and had to be evacuated.
The trial of Jean-Marc Reiser, the alleged assassin of Sophie Le Tan opened on Monday June 27 in the afternoon, before the assizes of Bas-Rhin. A trial which should continue until July 5, in order to find out what really happened on September 7, 2018 in Schiltigheim, a town bordering Strasbourg. That day, Sophie Le Tan, who was celebrating her 20th birthday, had no more sign of life after visiting Jean-Marc Reiser’s apartment.
A few seconds after the opening of the trial, the alleged assassin took his place in the dock. Dressed in green t-shirt, mask and glasses, the 61-year-old man who admitted to having killed Sophie Le Tan and cut up her body entered a climate of great tension. Facing him, Thi Huong, the mother of the victim, broke down in tears and felt unwell. Faced with so much emotion, the woman had to be evacuated from the room by the rescuers.
Jean-Marc Reiser challenges premeditation
After the discomfort of Sophie Le Tan’s mother, she was unable to return to the courtroom. She left the victim’s father, but also her little brother, uncles, aunts and cousins to face the alleged murderer of her daughter.
For his part, Jean-Marc Reiser said he would answer questions as much as possible. During this first day of trial, the alleged assassin confirmed having “recognized” and “explained the facts“. He then followed its initial defense strategy by contesting the premeditation of the crime. “There was no homicidal intent on my part, I dispute the premeditation” he declared in particular. For his part, Me Gérard Welzer, the lawyer for the relatives of Sophie Le Tan explained: “Nothing can bring Sophie back, we expect nothing from Reiser, who hasn’t stopped lying since the start.“. A particularly trying first day of the trial for the relatives of the victim.
© TF1
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Jean-Marc Reiser
Sophie Le Tan had gone to Jean-Marc Reiser’s apartment the day of his disappearance.
© ELYxandro Cegarra
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First day of Jean-Marc Reiser’s trial
Jean-Marc Reiser was arrested on September 15, 2018.
© ELYxandro Cegarra
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The lawyers for Jean-Marc Reiser, Francis Metzger and Pierre Giuriato
For three years, the main suspect denied killing the young student.
© ELYxandro Cegarra
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First day of Jean-Marc Reiser’s trial
Jean-Marc Reiser finally confessed in January 2021 to having killed and cut up the body of Sophie Le Tan.
© ELYxandro Cegarra
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Thi Huong, mother of Sophie Le Tan
His trial opened on Monday, June 27, 2022.
© ELYxandro Cegarra
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Thi Huong, mother of Sophie Le Tan
Thi Huong, mother of Sophie Le Tan was present at the opening of the trial.
© ELYxandro Cegarra
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Thi Huong, mother of Sophie Le Tan
The woman finally broke down in tears, seconds into the trial.
© ELYxandro Cegarra
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Sophie Le Tan family lawyer, Gerard Welzer and Sophie Le Tan’s mother
She had to be evacuated from the room by the rescuers.
© ELYxandro Cegarra
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Sophie Le Tan family lawyer, Gerard Welzer and Sophie Le Tan’s mother
Sophie Le Tan’s mother did not return to attend the trial.
© ELYxandro Cegarra
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A relative of Sophie Le Tan
Other relatives of the victim including his father, his little brother, his uncles, his aunts and his cousins were present for the first day of the hearing.