Jérôme Barella, already indicted in the Lyhanna death case, is now the subject of a complaint filed by his wife for "rape" and "domestic violence." An investigation was opened on June 18. His wife was interviewed by officers from the Toulouse research section of the gendarmerie.
These accusations reportedly date back to 2014.
During her hearing, the complainant maintained the facts alleged in her complaint. She stated, in particular, that the rapes began in 2014, twelve years before she filed her complaint. She is also the mother of Jérôme Barella's two children.
The family circle is now at the heart of the investigation
This complaint opens a new chapter in an already massive case. Until now, the known proceedings primarily concerned alleged acts of sexual violence against minors. This time, the accusations stem from a marital context. They are being handled separately, respecting the presumption of innocence, but they add to the overall investigation surrounding Jérôme Barella.
Lyhanna: the charges are being expanded
Eleven-year-old Lyhanna disappeared on May 29 in Fleurance, Gers. She had been filmed getting into Jérôme Barella's car after leaving school. Her body was found on June 4 in an abandoned grain silo in Puycasquier, about fifteen kilometers from Fleurance. Jérôme Barella was initially charged with "kidnapping and false imprisonment" and then placed in pretrial detention. The case was subsequently expanded to include charges of "murder of a minor under fifteen years of age, preceded or accompanied by rape" and "rape of a minor under fifteen years of age by violence, coercion, threats, or surprise."
The autopsy did not determine the cause of death.
The autopsy was unable to definitively determine the cause of Lyhanna's death. Experts noted bruising on her arms and legs, described as suggestive of restraint injuries, as well as contusions around her mouth consistent with trauma or friction. Further examinations are still underway.
A suspect is incarcerated and isolated.
Jérôme Barella is being held in pre-trial detention at the Mont-de-Marsan penitentiary. He is in solitary confinement and is under heightened surveillance due to suicide risk, with rounds every half hour.
Old alerts, multiple procedures
Before Lyhanna's death, Jérôme Barella had already been the subject of several legal proceedings, including complaints of rape or sexual assault of minors, reports, and disciplinary action. Some of these proceedings had been dismissed, others were still ongoing, and still others had not resulted in his being questioned at the time of the alleged offenses.
Deficiencies that have already been identified
A preliminary inspection report has uncovered a chain of errors, inactions, and poor decisions in the handling of a previous complaint against Jérôme Barella. The document specifically points to "flawed handling" by the Auch public prosecutor's office and "shortcomings" within the Lectoure gendarmerie.
A case that is still unfolding
The complaint filed by Jérôme Barella's wife does not replace the other legal proceedings; it is in addition to them. The investigation now encompasses Lyhanna's death, the previous accusations of sexual violence against minors, and the accusations made within the context of the marriage. At this stage, Jérôme Barella remains presumed innocent in all proceedings that have not yet resulted in a final conviction.
