A crack seller was sentenced on appeal in Paris on January 11 for manslaughter after the death of one of his customers in the capital in 2021, according to the decision consulted on Wednesday by AFP. This 25-year-old man, Ahmed B., already convicted three times for drug trafficking, was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for manslaughter as well as for transporting, possessing, acquiring, offering or selling drugs.
At first instance, in August 2022, Ahmed B. had been acquitted of the charges for manslaughter, the court judging on the contrary that “the causal link (was) not established between the transaction and the death of Gérard A. “. He had been sentenced for drug trafficking to three years in prison and a permanent ban from French territory – born in Gabon, he is in an irregular situation. This additional sentence was confirmed by the Court of Appeal.
An “established and uncontested” link
For the court, “it is established and undisputed” that the victim, Gérard A., bought crack from the defendant on the night of June 7, 2021 in the Stalingrad district, in the north-east of Paris. The demarcation of his telephone line showed that he had gone there, then had made a second round trip, in the morning, towards the north of Paris before staying at home. The victim was found dead on June 9.
A toxicological analysis report concluded with “acute intoxication with smoked or inhaled cocaine”, corresponding to the consumption of crack. The sale “contributed in a certain way to create the situation which allowed (…) the death”, estimated the court of appeal in its decision.
Proven sale of crack
The court had noted the absence of an autopsy report to determine the date and time of death and of an expert’s report comparing the product sold and that ingested.
As at first instance, the defendant, in detention since August 2021, admitted at the hearing on December 8 to having sold crack to the defendant but maintained that he had not died as a result of the consumption of this substance. At the first trial, he argued that he himself had consumed this product.
His lawyer could not be reached. “While this decision will not bring the deceased back to his family, justice has finally been served. Justice has reminded the dealers that they are totally responsible for the damage they cause, ”reacted the lawyers for the family of Gérard A., Me Vera Goguidze and Me Philippe Ohayon.