A “gesture of love”: a 32-year-old woman tried in court for having killed her grandfather by setting fire to his room

The events took place on August 23, 2020. Envato Elements – Illustration

Since Wednesday, October 2, 2024, a young woman has been on trial at the Rhône Assizes for "ascendant murder". She is accused of killing her grandfather by using fire. The verdict is expected on the evening of Thursday, October 3, 2024. 

A trial at the Assize Court opened in Lyon on Wednesday, October 2. That of Emilie G., 32, accused of having deliberately killed her grandfather by setting fire to his medical room, reports Le Progrès. Initially denying the facts, the woman ended up confessing to her actions. According to her, it was simply the execution of the will of her grandfather, who had asked her several times to end her life.

The man died of asphyxiation 

Manuel A., 95 years old, sick and bedridden for several years, died in his medical bed. At the time, the nonagenarian was living with his daughter, in Saint-Laurent-de-Mure. It was she and her husband who found him charred on August 23, 2020. Asphyxiated by toxic fumes, the man had burns on his feet and legs. It was with the discovery of traces of fuel that the criminal lead was considered. A few weeks later, Manuel's granddaughter was indicted and ended up confessing to the facts. 

"It's linked to euthanasia"

Described as being very close to her grandfather, her act was associated with a "gesture of love" by the defense lawyer, Me Thibaud Claus with RTL. This case naturally echoes the debate on the end of life, initiated by the bill that could not be completed following the dissolution of the National Assembly on June 9, 2024. "My client ended the life of one of her relatives who was at the end of his life, so of course it is linked to euthanasia. Afterwards, we are not in a euthanasia activism" said the lawyer for the accused, speaking to RMC.

The relatives intervened as witnesses

For their part, the relatives of the accused who did not constitute themselves as civil parties, intervened as witnesses on the first day of the trial. They agree that the old man no longer had the will to live and that, according to them, there was no malice in the actions of the accused. “When is the good Lord going to come get me? He used to say that all the time” testified the mother of the accused. 

Nevertheless, the attorney general highlighted the violence of the means used to “relieve the suffering" of her grandfather. “Is that a dignified death?" said the latter. 

Emilie G. is being heard today by the court. She risks life imprisonment but the defense hopes for a suspended sentence. The verdict is expected in the evening.