On the bench of the defendants, a young man of 21 years. He was a young adult at the time of the tragedy. He too was educated at the Saintais high school. Mustard pants, impeccable shirt, anachronistic phrasing, control of every word… the young adult responds with manslaughter by “clumsiness, recklessness, inattention and breach of security obligations”. He is accused of having installed the rope and having left it available, despite Polina’s confidences and distress signals, sent three times the week before.
“Morbid side”
As Olivier Lalande, the president, developed it, the investigation went through several phases, including a classification without follow-up, then the opening of a judicial investigation after the constitution of civil party of the parents. Several doors have been closed: the responsibility of the establishment has been dismissed; the trail of “provocation to suicide” did not hold legally. As for the harassment, thesis supported by the parents, the offense could not be established.
It was for me, this rope. An escape just in case”
But what about the role of the defendant, an acquaintance of Polina whom he describes as “a friendly, cordial and open person, passionate about nature and a Buddhist”. The week before the teenager’s suicide, she had surprised him in the woods of the shooting range. The young girl, who had already made four suicide attempts by drugs, would have commented: “It is a beautiful rope to hang yourself. »
According to the defendant, “she left with a smile”. He explains: “It was for me, this rope. An escape just in case […] I consider that I was in a state of extreme weakness and that it was difficult for me to face the facts. »
Polina Cottin was a fervent defender of nature.
Séverine Joubert/SOUTH WEST
Born of an unknown father, abused by his stepfather and sexually assaulted by a cousin, the young man had lost his mother two years earlier to a dazzling cancer. The court recognizes this painful childhood but wonders through the voice of Olivier Lalande. Which points to “a morbid side that is repeated”, an “unhealthy side” and a tendency to “embark on your discomfort people who are fragile”.
He will call
Three young people were aware of this installation, “a scaffold” will make him say Me Eric Cianciarullo, parents’ lawyer: Polina therefore; another 15-year-old girl, psychologically damaged, to whom he had sent the photo of the rope and another student, “a very nice person with a little concern for understanding”, according to the defendant who had given him the instructions for use of hanging. On the day of Polina’s death, telephone tapping calls out. He seems proud of his very tight noose which could only “grind Polina’s neck”.
Me Célia Lochet pleaded for release.
Séverine Joubert/SOUTH WEST
Passionate about history, neo-Nazism, the two world wars, an arms collector, the young man invested himself body and soul in his passions. President Olivier Lalande questions him: “Do you make a connection between your installation and the death of Polina? The defendant hesitates. “It’s quite difficult to answer. I have to think. »
