AFP
Frédéric Péchier, accused of the murder of twelve patients, claims his innocence.
Justice – The impact on the trial could be considerable. As Frédéric Péchier’s trial approaches on September 8 in Besançon – the two lawyers for the anesthesiologist accused of having killed 12 patients threaten to withdraw, denouncing too low remuneration.
In the current framework, “We will not assume the defense of Frédéric Péchier” said one of them, Randall Schwerdorffer, attached by phone by AFP.
In question, the legal aid paid by the State to the litigants who do not have the means to finance their legal costs. This amounts to 35,000 euros for the two lawyers of the doctor over the duration of the trial, supposed to end on December 19. “It’s been 17,000 euros per cabinet for four months, it’s extraordinary”sighs the Bisontin lawyer. “It is out of the question to intervene at the expense of my office to assume the defense”he insists.
Frédéric Péchier, who remains in freedom, no longer exercises his profession.
For its part, the Ministry of Justice recalls that the lawyers of Frédéric Péchier “Have agreed to represent their client under the regional regime for legal aid with full knowledge of the facts”. He underlines that this aid, which he more than a 37,500 euros excluding taxes, is paid “For the benefit of a litigant, whatever the number of lawyers that he chooses to ensure his defense”. So, “These rules being known since the start of lawyers’ work, their withdrawal within a month of the opening of the hearing and the consequences of these announcements are their full responsibility”.
“The responsibility of all stakeholders at the trial”
Randall Schwerdorffer, former defender of Jonathann Daval, hopes that the advice of the civil parties will pay 10 % of their legal aid which according to him at 2 million euros. “As in the trial of Salah Abdeslam [principal accusé au procès des attentats de 2015]it would take an agreement with the lawyers of the civil parties. It is the responsibility of all stakeholders at the trial ”Poursuit me Schwerdorffer.
For the moment, the lawyers of the civil parties have refused to share this legal aid, according to Me Schwerdorffer. But a mediation meeting with the Council of the Association of Lawyers is scheduled for September 2. At the end, the lawyer will decide whether or not to continue the defense of the former anesthesiologist.
The other lawyer for Dr. Péchier, Lee Takhedmit, had not responded Tuesday to AFP requests. A few days ago, the third lawyer, Samuel Estève, withdrew for the same reasons.
Frédéric Péchier, 53, worked as a anesthesiologist in private clinics in Besançon. He is accused of having, for more than ten years, voluntarily poisoned 30 patients aged 4 to 89, leading to the death of 12 of them. He claims his innocence, and his lawyers at the trial will plead the acquittal.
Legal aid is “The demonstration of national solidarity towards any person faced with legal proceedings, whether victim or question, as soon as they do not have sufficient resources to pay lawyers”indicates the Ministry of Justice. In 2025, this aid represents a total of 661 million euros, an amount “Who has doubled since 2017 and who now places France in the average of OECD countries”.
