Trappes and La Verrière racist attack suspect Kévin T. reportedly attempted suicide in detention, Digi Mart USA News (Yvelines, France): Kévin T., the suspect in the October 23 racist attack in the Yvelines department, reportedly attempted to hang himself, according to two sources close to the case. He was able to return to his cell after being treated.
One source told AFP that the attempt took place several days ago and was followed, as usual, by emergency response care. “His life was not in danger, and he was able to return to his cell the same day,” the source said.
The second source said the detainee attempted to hang himself.
Kévin T.’s lawyers, Baptiste Bellet and Eliott Amzallag, told AFP they regretted that the information, which they described as strictly private, was disclosed so quickly. They said they wanted his detention to proceed under the best possible conditions so that the investigation could continue calmly.
The lawyers added that the suicide attempt raised legitimate questions about their client’s psychological state, which they said should undergo a thorough medical evaluation.
On October 23, Kévin T., driving his car, killed a 26-year-old French man of African origin and injured seven other people, four of them seriously, in Trappes and La Verrière in the Yvelines. Most of the victims were of African and North African origin.
He was placed under formal investigation and jailed on October 29 after, according to prosecutors, acknowledging that he had targeted Muslim, African or North African people. Homemade stickers supporting the Rassemblement national party were reportedly found among his belongings.
He was charged with murder and attempted murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise, with the circumstance that the acts were committed because of the actual or supposed membership of the victims in a so-called race, ethnicity, nation or religion, the national anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office (Pnat) said.
Kévin T., who has been convicted four times, most recently in 2012, has reported psychological problems and heavy drug use since age 13. Tests revealed the presence of cannabis and cocaine in his blood at the time of the attack, as well as molecules consistent with antipsychotic and antidepressant medication, according to the Pnat.
The prosecutor also said a doctor found that the schizophrenia diagnosis claimed by Kévin T. was more an interpretation by the suspect than a medical conclusion.
