the parents of Axelle Dorier testify before the opening of the trial in Lyon
It is Tuesday that the trial of the alleged murderer of Axelle Dorier opens before the Assize Court of the Rhône. The young woman died mowed down by a car in July 2020.
“We risk hearing all the horrors that happened that night.” The parents of Axelle Dorier removed on the set of BFM Lyon the opening of the trial at the Assizes of the Rhône next Tuesday after the death of their daughter in July 2020.
A 23-year-old caregiver, Axelle was fatally mowed down by a car and dragged more than 800 meters in the Fourvière district on the sidelines of a birthday party.
“It’s very hard”
Sophie, Axelle’s mother, explains that it is a “difficult” moment but which is “prepared” with their lawyer and psychologists. “We try to approach calmly, but it’s very complicated,” she continues.
“We expect a lot from what will happen and we hope that […] Axelle’s murderers are telling the truth,” says Pierre Dorier, Axelle’s father.
Two men will be tried for four days before the Assize Court. The driver, who admitted to having knocked down the young woman but assures that he did not realize that she was under the car, and his passenger.
“We expect to hear very difficult things about the facts. It’s very hard,” says Sophie Dorier. “Me, I hope that these people will assume what they have done”, adds Théo, Axelle’s brother.
“Absolute Horror”
The family hopes for clear explanations from the two men: “Let them tell the truth because what they did to Axelle is absolutely horrific,” testifies Pierre Dorier.
Axelle’s father regrets that the charge against the driver is violence with a weapon resulting in death without intention to kill. He faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
“Without the intention of giving it, it is not possible. And we also think that the passenger is responsible, that he did nothing to stop all this”, he adds while the second accused will be judged for failure to assist a person in danger.
The family relies on several testimonies indicating that Axelle was hit by the motorist and then clung to the hood. “The car stopped, Axelle fell in front of the car. She was getting up when the car activated,” says Pierre Dorier.
The verdict at the Assizes of the Rhône is expected for next Friday, at the end of the day.