Marie-Thérèse Garcia, a defendant with a controversial past, appears before the Yvelines Assize Court

Marie-Thérèse Garcia, 79, is appearing before the Yvelines Assize Court for the kidnapping, confinement, and murder of her former sister-in-law, Corinne Di Dio. This case, which dates back to 1995, is one of the oldest criminal cases still being tried in France. The victim's dismembered body was found in a metal trunk floating on the Seine River in the Eure department.

On the second day of the trial, the defendant's personality was a major focus. Described by some close to her as an authoritarian woman, sometimes verbally and physically violent, she was nicknamed "Ma Dalton," a reference to the Lucky Luke comic book character. Other members of her circle, on the contrary, painted a picture of a generous woman devoted to her family, even calling her "Grandma Treasure."

A case reopened after several years

Born in 1946 in Montrouge, Marie-Thérèse Garcia lived for many years in Saint-Hilarion, in the Yvelines department. There, she regularly babysat children from her extended family, including Romain, the son of Corinne Di Dio. According to the prosecution, the murder was committed in this town. However, the accused continues to deny any involvement in the events.

The investigation has seen many twists and turns. Two dismissals were handed down in 2000 and then in 2008 before the case was reopened in 2012. The investigations were then relaunched following statements attributed to a granddaughter of Marie-Thérèse Garcia, claiming to have witnessed in her childhood a particularly violent scene involving a woman being cut into pieces.

Family rivalries at the heart of the case

The proceedings also highlighted the tensions within the family. The relationship between the accused and her daughter Nancy was a particular focus. Marie-Thérèse Garcia claims to have been the victim of an assassination attempt in 2004 when a grenade was allegedly placed under her car, a version disputed by her daughter.

Several complex romantic relationships were also discussed during the hearing. The prosecution is particularly interested in the connections between the various members of the Marquez Gomez family. A relationship between Corinne Di Dio and Francisco Marquez Gomez allegedly fueled tensions that, according to investigators, could explain a possible motive related to jealousy.

An accused woman weakened by age and illness

In court, Marie-Thérèse Garcia presented herself as a physically impaired woman. Detained for over three years at the Versailles prison, she claims to suffer from numerous health conditions, including hypertension, arthritis, vertigo, and several cardiovascular events. She appeared with her left arm in a sling after a broken wrist.

Her lawyers regularly emphasize her health condition and point out that she is among the oldest prisoners in France. Despite several requests for release filed before the trial began, the court has maintained her pretrial detention. Hearings are expected to continue in the coming days to clarify the circumstances of this criminal case, which dates back more than thirty years.