How and especially why a student came to stab a Spanish teacher in front of his classmates? If the day after the tragedy of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, the time is for meditation on the side of National Education, the investigation, it focuses on the unfolding of the facts and the motivations of the suspect. The 16-year-old burst into the classroom shortly before 10 a.m. and fatally injured the 52-year-old teacher who had worked for many years at the private Saint-Thomas d’Aquin high school. A press conference by the Bayonne prosecutor must take place at 3 p.m..
How long can custody last?
The 16-year-old was arrested shortly after the incident. While some witnesses reported “delusional” words and incoherent remarks, an initial medical report deemed that his state of health was compatible with police custody. Other expert reports, over the course of the investigations, will however complete this first brief analysis of the mental and psychological state of the adolescent.
At his age, police custody can last up to twenty-four hours, and be extended for a maximum of twenty-four additional hours, if the prosecutor authorizes it, after having met the suspect. The minor may, moreover, be accompanied by an adult during the interrogations.
Was there premeditation?
Wednesday afternoon, the public prosecutor of Bayonne, Jérôme Bourrier, announced the opening of an investigation for “assassination”, which implies that the track of a possible premeditation is explored. Were preparatory acts carried out prior to this crime? Where does the knife come from: was it bought or did this high school student take it from his home? Investigators are also trying to determine if there was a dispute between the teenager and the teacher. The prosecutor however specified, Wednesday, during the press point held with the Minister of Education, that the facts could be requalified according to the elements of the investigation. The investigations were entrusted to the Bayonne PJ.
Are there accomplices?
If the investigations are obviously centered on the high school student, the investigators are also trying to determine if he could have benefited from complicity. Was he prompted to take action? Was he able to benefit from assistance in obtaining the knife? So far, no other custody has taken place. “It is, as in any investigation, to close doors”, indicates a police source. Clearly, to ensure that nothing slips through the cracks.