Overview
- The appeal, which opened Monday in Aix-en-Provence, brings 11 accused including nine in custody back to court and is set to run until July 3.
- The case is being heard by a specially composed assizes court made up of professional judges with no popular jury under a recent anti-narcotics law.
- Prosecutors argue the two shootings were a vendetta by heirs of the Brise de Mer, a historic Corsican gang, meant to avenge past killings and revive the group.
- The first trial in 2024 unraveled after key defendants refused to appear and fired their lawyers, yet it ended with 13 convictions and two acquittals.
- Sentences now under review include 30 years for Christophe Guazzelli, 23 years for prison officer Cathy Châtelain, and 10 years for Jacques Mariani for criminal conspiracy.