DISAPPEARANCE OF MAËLY: COUNSEL OF THE PRIME SUSPECT DEEMS A REQUEST FOR RELEASE 'PREMATURE'
France Info
http://www.francetvinfo.fr/faits-di...-de-remise-en-liberte-prematuree_2374028.html
It's been three weeks now since little Maëlys disappeared. Although the police have a suspect in this case, the investigation has still not located this 9-year-old girl, who vanished on the night of August 26-27 during a wedding in Pont-de-Beauvoisin (Isère). The 34-year-old man, who was indicted and remanded in custody, continues to deny the abduction of the child. Threatened by the other detainees, the ex-military was transferred from Varces prison (Isère) to Saint-Quentin-Fallavier prison, also in Isère.
However, his lawyer considers it "inconceivable to file an application for release" at this stage. "In view of the elements of the file and in view of the multitude of expert reports under way, it would be really premature," Bernard Méraud assured FranceInfo.
A DNA trace was found on the suspect's car dashboard. The results of other samples, taken at home, in his vehicle and in other places, are expected in the next few days, a source close to the survey confirms to FranceInfo. Technical expertise is also under way. Investigators remain also interested in the suspect's second cell phone. His signal was spotted, during the evening of Maëlys' disappearance, at various places several kilometers from the wedding hall, according to information of France Bleu Isère.
Mr. Bernard Méraud is waiting for a confirmation about the boy who, according to his client, was in his car at the same time as Maëlys to see if his dogs were in the trunk. "Several media have reported that this boy doesn't exist, but I am not aware of that," the lawyer says.
Once the existence of this boy is confirmed, an application for release could then be considered, the counsel said. However, Mr. Bernard Meraud acknowledges that his client could "remain in pre-trial detention for the duration of the investigation", given the nature of the case in which he is the accused.
"The objective for us is not to refer an indictee to a court of law, that is not our short-term objective," according to Fabien Rajon, the lawyer for Maëlys' parents.
"Our objective is to find out what happened to Maëlys."
BBM
The lawyer isn't throwing his client under the bus or distancing himself. If he were to do that, he should resign because that would be a severe violation of rights.
What he basically says is that they are waiting for the reults of the tecchnical investigation, and that the conclusion made in the press about the blonde boy who wouldn't exist, is too hasty.
Should that boy turn up THEN the lawyer may appeal for release of his client, BUT he admits that this client could remain in custody for the duration of the investigation anyway.
As things stand now, there is no real proof against his client, presumption of innocence prevails, and the lawyer (and everybody else) knows that, so all he is really saying is not very much.
:waitasec: