In the judicial tumult, the Jonathann Daval case strikes the public opinion: acquitted by justice! But behind this surprising outcome lies a delicate question: vengeance or trampled justice? Let us dive together into the heart of this resounding case to explore all its mysteries…
Verdict delivered: Jonathann Daval acquitted of slanderous denunciation charges
Jonathann Daval, sentenced to 25 years in prison for the murder of his wife Alexia, was acquitted this Friday of the charges of slanderous denunciation brought against his in-laws. The correctional court of Besançon found that the denunciations did not meet the spontaneity requirement set by law. This decision was delivered remotely, with Jonathann Daval listening to the reading of the judgment from his prison cell.
A remote hearing
The former computer scientist, aged 40, attended the hearing via video conference from the Ensisheim prison, where he is incarcerated. The charges of slanderous denunciation came from the victim’s parents, Isabelle and Jean-Pierre Fouillot, as well as their daughter Stéphanie and her husband Grégory Gay. The court dismissed their claims.
Confused sentence
Although Jonathann Daval faced up to five years in prison for slanderous denunciation, this sentence would have been confused with his conviction for the murder of his wife. His in-laws were seeking 60,000 euros in damages, including 30,000 euros for Grégory Gay, and 10,000 euros for each of Alexia’s parents and sister.
The twists of the investigation
During the investigation, Jonathann Daval initially confessed to being the author of his wife’s murder, before retracting and accusing his brother-in-law, Grégory Gay, of strangling her. He claimed that the family had made a secret pact to bury the matter. Six months later, he ultimately admitted to lying and confessed again to being Alexia’s murderer.
A “Daval case” to close
Despite the “rare immorality” of Jonathann Daval’s accusations against his in-laws, the public prosecutor of Besançon, Etienne Manteaux, had requested an acquittal during the previous hearing. He believed it was time to permanently close this case and allow each party to move forward. Jonathann Daval strangled Alexia on the night of October 27 to 28, 2017, before transporting her body to a wood and burning it.
The continuation of the Daval case
With this acquittal of Jonathann Daval, the case sees a new epilogue, but this does not mean the end of the twists. Many questions remain, and the truth surrounding the events of this murder still seems uncertain. Reactions came quickly, with some people shouting injustice while others pointed out that justice made its decision with full awareness.