Jacques Moretti to Undergo Psychiatric Assessment for Domestic Violence
Jacques Moretti, owner of the Swiss Le Constellation bar that burned down in Crans-Montana, is to undergo a psychiatric assessment amid allegations of domestic violence. The canton Valais Public Prosecutor’s Office ordered the evaluation as part of a criminal investigation into suspected violence against his wife, Jessica.
Valais Public Prosecutor Orders Psychiatric Evaluation
Prosecutors state that this type of evaluation typically spans between four and six months. Jacques Moretti remains in pre-trial detention after being remanded in custody last August.
The investigation stems from an incident during the night of August 11–12 at the couple’s home. Léman Bleu reported that Jessica Moretti sustained injuries requiring hospitalization following physical violence during that timeframe.
Distinction Between Domestic Allegations and the Constellation Fire
Legal representatives for the couple emphasize that the domestic violence allegations remain separate from ongoing inquiries into the deadly January 1 fire at the Le Constellation bar. Attorneys Yaël Hayat, Nicola Meier, and Patrick Michod addressed the separation of the cases in a public statement.
“These events, (…) relate exclusively to their private lives, and as such we will not be making any comment,” defense lawyers Yaël Hayat, Nicola Meier and Patrick Michod stated. “They should not be confused with the Constellation tragedy, but nevertheless form part of a context that cannot be ignored – that of a particularly trying ordeal which the Morettis have been trying to face together since January 1.”
Ongoing Criminal Proceedings in Crans-Montana
Both Jacques Moretti and his wife are among 17 defendants facing charges related to the January 1 fire in Crans-Montana. The tragedy resulted in 41 deaths and 115 injuries. Defendants in that case face allegations of negligent homicide, causing bodily harm through negligence, and causing a fire through negligence.
While the pre-trial detention and the newly ordered psychiatric assessment focus specifically on the domestic allegations handled by Valais prosecutors, both legal matters unfold under the jurisdiction of regional authorities as the broader investigation into the bar fire continues.