Overview

• Lead counsel Randall Schwerdorffer and co-counsel Lee Takhedmit say they will not continue under a total allocation of about €35,000 for the four-month proceedings, which they describe as inadequate.
• The ministry says the remuneration is €37,500 before tax paid to the defendant regardless of how many lawyers he retains and stresses that any withdrawal so close to the hearing is the lawyers’ responsibility.
• Schwerdorffer is asking counsel for the 155 civil parties to transfer 10% of their legal-aid payments, which he estimates total €2 million, but they have refused pending a bar council mediation on September 2.
• A third defense lawyer, Samuel Estève, recently withdrew for the same funding reasons, raising concerns over Péchier’s representation before the opening of arguments.
• The trial is scheduled in Besançon from September 8 to December 19 over 30 alleged poisonings, including 12 deaths, and Péchier remains free, no longer practices, and maintains his innocence.