A sexagenarian was sentenced to 18 years of criminal imprisonment on Monday evening by the assizes of Saône-et-Loire for the assassination of his brother-in-law in 2015, described as an "honor killing" within the community of people travel.
Tensions existed for a long time between these two families and the trial took place in a very tense atmosphere, between insults, abuse and threats.
A sexagenarian was sentenced to 18 years of criminal imprisonment on Monday evening by the assizes of Saône-et-Loire for the assassination of his brother-in-law in 2015, described as an "honor killing" within the community of people travel.
Louis Meyer, found guilty of killing Alain Schutt on August 29, 2015, was also sentenced to a 10-year ban on his civic, civil and family rights.
On the other hand, his brother, Auguste Meyer, was acquitted.
The prosecution had requested 20 years in prison against the two brothers, Advocate General Charles Prost denouncing a "crime to settle the honor of the family".
Wounded by a shotgun and anonymously dropped off in the emergency room
On August 29, 2015 in Montceau-les-Mines (Saône-et-Loire), Alain Schutt, 48, was fatally injured from a shotgun blast, before being anonymously deposited in the emergency room of the local hospital where he died a few hours later.
The next day, Louis and Auguste Meyer spontaneously presented themselves to the Creusot police station, acknowledging their presence at the scene of the tragedy but denying the assassination.
Tensions existed for a long time between these two families
They confess, however, that a brawl broke out on the day of the events and that tensions had long existed between these two families from the Traveler community.
Auguste Meyer's son, Joseph Mellard, would have taken responsibility for a burglary in place of his uncle Alain Schutt, who would have promised him money to pay the indemnities, but would not have kept his word.
The lifeless body of Joseph Mellard was found in an alley in Le Creusot last May, the victim of several stab wounds.
This case is under investigation.
A verdict issued under the surveillance of around forty police officers
"Alain Schutt was the victim of an execution," accused master William Rollet, lawyer for the Schutt family, in his plea.
The statement of the verdict, after a week of very tense trial, took place under the surveillance of about forty police officers.
Insults, invective and threats were uttered.
"You, you are going to die", thus promised Auguste Meyer, pointing to the son of Alain Schutt.