The first indication that something terrible had happened came when Marguerite Bouniol was watching the evening news in her home in Paris.For 22 years, Marguerite and her husband, Georges, have been seeking answers, first from the Irish authorities, and then through an investigation that began in France when they lodged a formal complaint against their daughter’s unknown killer.
A post-mortem examination also revealed serious injuries to her hands - wounds that were consistent with self-defence.Photographs of a blood-stained concrete block and rock, used to inflict some of those injuries, were shown to the three magistrates during the trial. The family embraced when the presiding judge, Frédérique Aline, announced that Ian Bailey had been convicted of murder, and sentenced to 25 years in prison.In delivering the verdict, the judge said there’d been testimony from several witnesses who’d claimed they’d seen marks on Ian Bailey’s arms and forehead in the days after the killing.
Ms Toscan du Plantier's father, Georges Bouniol, left the courthouse before other members of the family spoke to the media. The family of Sophie Toscan du Plantier said they hope to see Mr Bailey appear in a French courtroom one day to be "convicted in person". He dismissed media reports which had suggested there was no proof that Ian Bailey had killed Ms Toscan du Plantier.
As "parties civiles", or civil parties, the family had their own legal team in court. Their lawyers were able to ask questions of the witnesses and make observations to the judges.
Sharon_Gaffney Hanging judge justice
Sharon_Gaffney It is better that a thousand criminals walk free, than one innocent person getting convicted.
Sharon_Gaffney But did he
Sharon_Gaffney I can't see Mr Bailey going on his holidays to France anytime soon!
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