France is in the spotlight over the murder trial of 40-year-old, Valérie Bacot – a mother that enlisted her two older sons to help bury her husband, 61-year-old Daniel Polette. The international focus is on the alleged abuses by Daniel towards Valérie and her children that led to murder.
According to Valérie, Daniel Polette started grooming and sexually assaulting her from the age of 12. Daniel was Valérie’s stepfather, who later became her husband. Forced into prostitution by Daniel, Valérie mentions that the breaking point came when Daniel started sexually grooming their 14-year-old daughter.
The trial, held in Chalon-sur-Saône, has Valérie facing premeditated murder charges with life imprisonment. According to Valérie, she shot Daniel from behind after a sexual encounter with a client on March 13th, 2015. The trial is ongoing. Supporters of Valérie created a petition for a presidential pardon from Emmanuel Macron. The petition currently has over 699,360 signatures.
