Trial Opens for Dahbia Benkired Accused of Murdering 12-Year-Old Lola Daviet

The trial of Dahbia Benkired, charged with the murder and rape of 12-year-old Lola Daviet, began on October 20 at the Paris Assize Court and is set to run through October 24. Benkired, aged 27, faces life imprisonment if convicted of these grave charges, which include acts of torture or barbarism against a minor under 15 years old.

The trial is being held in the Victor Hugo room of the court, open to the public since the victim's mother did not request a closed session. The precise motive behind the crime remains unclear, though Benkired has cited "vengeance" related to a denied access badge to a residence. During police custody, she admitted to the crimes and later described seeing Lola as a "ghost." Her elder sister reported that Dahbia exhibited "incoherent" night awakenings in the month preceding the crime. However, three psychiatric evaluations have determined that Benkired does not suffer from any major psychiatric disorder, enabling her to stand trial.

The victim, Lola Daviet, was described by her mother as having a gentle temperament and having difficulty saying no. She was a 12-year-old pupil at the Georges-Brassens middle school in Paris's 19th arrondissement, passionate about aerobic gymnastics, and viewed as a leader with good academic results. Despite facing harassment from a classmate during her final school year, images of Lola showed her smiling and maintaining a positive spirit.

This tragic case has gripped France, highlighting issues of violence against minors and the complexities of understanding motives behind such brutal acts. The court proceedings are expected to reveal more details as the trial moves forward, offering a thorough examination of Dahbia Benkired's actions and state of mind at the time of the crime.