Overview

• Frédéric Péchier, 53, stands before the cour d’assises du Doubs accused of contaminating infusion bags between 2008 and 2017 in two private Besançon clinics, with 12 alleged deaths, and faces life imprisonment.
• Prosecutors say he introduced potassium into perfusion bags to trigger cardiac arrests, allegedly to harm rival colleagues and then showcase his resuscitation skills.
• Péchier denies all charges, with his lawyers arguing he is the “coupable idéal” produced by an inquiry they call one-sided, and he told media he has strong arguments and does not feel responsible for families’ distress.
• Proceedings feature more than 150 civil parties represented by about 50 lawyers, and the defendant appears free under judicial supervision before the court presided by Delphine Thibierge.
• The court will first examine the recent incidents involving Sandra Simard and Jean-Claude Gandon over the next two weeks, with a verdict expected on December 19.