Court Rejects Posthumous Honor for Executed Criminal Jacques Fesch

The French Court of Cassation denies the symbolic restoration of honor for Jacques Fesch, executed in 1957, despite his spiritual transformation in prison.

The Court of Cassation's decision is final, marking the end of a 30-year campaign by Fesch's son, Gérard, to restore his father's honor.
Jacques Fesch was executed for murdering a police officer during a robbery attempt in 1954, despite later showing signs of redemption while in prison.
The court acknowledged Fesch's respectful behavior in prison and his spiritual journey but found these insufficient as proof of genuine repentance.
Fesch's writings, expressing regret and spiritual insights, gained posthumous recognition, leading to an ongoing Catholic Church beatification process.
The court's decision reflects a reluctance to associate legal rehabilitation with religious conversion, emphasizing secular principles in its ruling.