Reactions after the verdict
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On the last day of the trial of Aurélien Roellinger, the arsonist from the Bourtzwiller district in Mulhouse in October 2017, general counsel Sandra Di Rosa made her requisitions. She recalled that the accused was “solely responsible for six deaths, including four children, and eight injured. It is an immense pain that will forever mark these families ”.
The magistrate is convinced that this is “not a whim as we want to believe” Aurélien Roellinger; “He acted in a thoughtful, voluntary manner. He had already thought about setting it on fire before. He waited for the right moment ”. And to recall that the psychiatrist expert concluded with an act of revenge, “gold revenge is a dish which is eaten cold”. Sandra Di Rosa believes that the arsonist wanted to “harm the inhabitants, punish them for leaving objects lying around” in the common areas. And for her, “he knew it was going to flare up and he knew the dramatic consequences”.
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“Disdain for the inhabitants”
The general counsel spoke of the “antecedents”, the three fires in the building of Wittenheim occupied by the Roellinger family. Although the man was not prosecuted for these facts, she is convinced that it is he who is behind it. What she finds “worrying. He has an attraction for this modus operandi ”. And to recall the two convictions for jet of smoke and the pyrotechnic devices found at his home during the search.
As for Mr Roellinger’s motivations, she says: “He did not agree to be in Bourtzwiller” (the place where he grew up), after living with his partner in Wittenheim. “He harbored resentment towards this building, contempt and contempt for its inhabitants.”
She asked the jurors to pronounce “a sentence up to the gravity of the facts and the consequences”, proposing 30 years of criminal imprisonment, with a 20-year safety sentence, accompanied by a socio-judicial follow-up of 10 years with an additional five years in prison if he did not respect the obligations.
“I’m not devil’s advocate! “
Me Samir Ayari, for the defense, first paid tribute to the victims, speaking of “an audience of dignity, humanity and respect”. While stating at the outset: “I am not the devil’s advocate”. He assures him: his client set the fire of course, but “without premeditation, without preparation and without having apprehended the consequences” as suggested by the prosecution.
It tells the story of Aurélien Roellinger’s nights, “haunted by the specter of guilt, in the suffering and psychological torture of the crime he committed”. And to add: “This affair is a nightmare for all. We are all struck by this stupor, including him ”.
He has no doubts that his client did indeed want to help his neighbors by knocking on their door; “He wanted to catch up with something that was beyond him”. Thus opposing the vision that his client has “attracted the inhabitants to the fire on a voluntary basis.” To destroy voluntarily yes, to want to kill, no! “. It is for him “an ill-considered impulsiveness which led him to his gesture”.
To conclude, Me Ayari summoned Seneca, “the good judge condemns the crime without hating the criminal” and asks that the required sentence be reduced. The verdict is expected in the afternoon.
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