Saint-Jean-de-Luz Tragedy: Student Accused of Agnès Lassalle’s Murder to Be Tried in Juvenile Court

A Crime That Shook the Educational Community

On February 22, 2023, Agnès Lassalle, a 53-year-old Spanish teacher, tragically lost her life after being fatally stabbed during class at Saint-Thomas d’Aquin High School in Saint-Jean-de-Luz. This incident, which occurred within a school setting, deeply shocked the educational community and sparked national outrage.

Nearly two years after the tragedy, the student suspected of the crime, now 17 years old (16 at the time of the incident), will stand trial before the juvenile court of assizes in Pyrénées-Atlantiques. This decision follows the indictment order signed on Wednesday by the investigating judge in charge of the case, in line with the prosecutor’s recommendations, according to information reported by ici Pays Basque.

Contradictory Psychiatric Evaluations

Throughout the investigation, the suspect’s mental state has been a central focus of the judicial process. Three psychiatric evaluations were conducted to assess his criminal responsibility, yielding conflicting conclusions:

• The first evaluation determined that the student was criminally responsible, concluding he was aware of his actions at the time of the crime.
• The second reported a slight impairment of judgment but did not fully exonerate him.
• The third concluded there was a total loss of judgment, citing severe anxiety disorder, a history of suicidal behavior, and the presence of a psychotic episode during the incident.

These differing expert opinions highlight the case’s complexity, both legally and psychologically.

The Defense to Appeal the Indictment

In response to the indictment order, the student’s defense has already announced plans to appeal the decision before the investigating chamber of the Pau Court of Appeal. This appeal could delay the trial but will allow for a thorough review of the case, particularly in light of the psychiatric assessments.