France's First Woman to Receive Whole-Life Sentence for Murder and Rape of 12-Year-Old Schoolgirl

Strategic Insights -

A 27-year-old woman, Dahbia Benkired, has become the first woman in French history to be handed a whole-life sentence for the murder of 12-year-old Lola Daviet. Benkired abducted, raped, and tortured the schoolgirl before slashing her throat with a box cutter and scissors. The victim's mother, Delphine Daviet, delivered a powerful message to the court, labeling Benkired a "monster" and recalling her daughter's joyful and loving personality. The tragic event has sparked widespread outrage and protests in France.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dahbia Benkired, a 27-year-old Algerian immigrant, was found guilty of raping and murdering 12-year-old Lola Daviet in Paris, France.
  • Benkired was handed a rare whole-life sentence, making her the first woman in French history to receive such a sentence.
  • Lola Daviet's mother, Delphine Daviet, delivered a powerful message to the court, recalling her daughter's joyful and loving personality.
  • The victim's family and their son Thibault recalled their close relationship and the tragedy that changed their lives forever.
  • Benkired, who had overstayed her student visa, taped Lola's mouth and suffocated her to death.
  • The court heard that Benkired's actions were motivated by "pleasure and the satisfaction of sexual urges".
  • France's Attorney General described Benkired's actions as "true torture", and the judge said the court took into account the "unspeakable psychological damage" to the victim and her family.
  • Lola's brother said the family has "restored the memory of my sister, we have restored the truth".

Statistics:

  • The age of the victim: 12 years old.
  • The age of the perpetrator: 27 years old.
  • The sentence handed to Dahbia Benkired: Whole-life sentence.
  • The number of years Lola Daviet spent alive: 12 years.
  • The number of years Dahbia Benkired will spend in prison: Entire life.
  • The time it took for the police to find Lola Daviet's body: After the family reported her missing.
  • The number of protests that have taken place outside the courthouse: Multiple.

Sources:

  • LeParisien
  • AFP via Getty Images
  • Delphine Daviet/Facebook