In Memory . . .

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. . . . . . . . Anne Lorraine Schmitt, 1984 - 2007
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Three years ago, in November 2007, Anne-Lorraine Scmitt, a vivacious 23 year old journalism student, was stabbed to death on the RER D train line which runs north from Paris to the city of Creil. It was a Sunday morning, she was going home to celebrate mass with her parents, when her life was cut brutally short by a severely deranged man, a man who had already served prison time for a rape at knifepoint, who had been released early, without serving his full sentence.
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Yesterday her murderer was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum sentence of 22 years to serve before he could be considered for early release again. We sincerely hope he will serve the full sentence of life in prison, only to be released in a coffin. And burn in hell forever after, if there is such a thing.
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This tragedy hit particularly close to home for us, because the train line it happened on runs through the town we live in, and Anne Lorraine was found dead in the train car at the end of the line, with 34 stab wounds, just a few kilometers from our home. One of my daughters was in the same school class with one of Anne Lorraine's younger sisters at the time. Over 2000 people came to the funeral mass in her memory at the Senlis Cathedral.
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Being a father of two daughters myself, I cannot imagine the nightmare that her parents and family have endured since that awful day. Every parent's worst nightmare. My heart goes out to them.
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In the days preceeding the trial, her parents sent out a message, asking that it be circulated widely. The least I can do is print that message here, in memory of Anne Lorraine.
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Letter from Elisabeth and Philippe Schmitt
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Subject: ANNE - LORRAINE SCHMITT
Date: Sat, 30 Oct 2010
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Après trois longues années d’instruction, le procès du meurtrier « présumé » d’ANNE – LORRAINE est programmé les lundi 13, mardi 14 et mercredi 15 décembre 2010 à partir de 9h30 devant la cour d’Assises de Pontoise 3, rue Victor Hugo.
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Nous serons présents au procès, en famille, à la fois inquiets mais déterminés.
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Inquiets :
- Parce que nous savons que les armes ne sont pas égales …
L’accusé pourra récuser des jurés, pas nous …
L’accusé pourra faire appel du verdict, pas nous …
- Parce que nous craignons que son avocat salisse la mémoire d’Anne - Lorraine pour justifier l’injustifiable, excuser l’inexcusable …
- Parce que, quel que soit la peine prononcée, nous savons que dans quelques années un juge d’application des peines, légalement irresponsable, aura la possibilité dans le secret de son cabinet, en catimini, de défaire ce qu’un jury populaire aura décidé avec tous les risques que cela comporte…
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Mais déterminés :
- A affronter ce barbare qui, lui, nous a déjà condamnés au chagrin perpétuel
- A lutter sans esprit de vengeance mais sans compromission pour que d’autres filles ne connaissent pas le sort tragique d’Anne – Lorraine …en croisant de nouveau son chemin
- Et donc à mettre tous les acteurs du procès face à leur responsabilité quant au sort de ce prédateur…
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D’avance merci à ceux qui seront disponibles pour nous entourer et nous soutenir pendant ces trois jours et aux autres qui seront aussi avec nous par la pensée ou la prière.
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Elisabeth et Philippe Schmitt
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PS : vous pouvez évidemment rediffuser ce texte !
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Un mail de condoléances à été ouvert. Il s'agit de l'adresse mail suivante:
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condoleances.anne.lorraine@gmail.com
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Translation :
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"After three long years of preparation the trial of the "presumed" murderer of Anne-Lorraine is scheduled for the 13th, 14th, and 15th of December at 9h30 in the Pontoise Court, rue Victor Hugo.
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As a family we will be present, worried but determined.
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Worried :
- because we know that the arms are not equal
. . . the defendant can have jurors refused, but we cannot
. . . the defendant can appeal the verdict, but we cannot
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- because we are afraid the defendant's lawyers will attempt to tarnish the memory of Anne-Lorraine to try to justify what cannot be justified, to try to excuse the inexcusable
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- because no matter what sentence is pronounced, we know that after some years a judge responsible for the application of sentences, legally not responsible, will have the possibility in the secrecy of his chambers, quietly, to undo what a jury decided, along with all the risks implied...
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But determined:
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- To confront the barbarian who condemned us to perpetual chagrin
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- To struggle without seeking vengeance, but without compromise, so that other young women will not meet the same fate as Anne-Lorraine ... by crossing his path again
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- Thus placing all the participants in the trial squarely in front of their responsibilities concerning the future of this predator
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Thanks in advance to those of you who may be available to support us and accompany us during the three days of the trial, and to those who will be with us in thoughts or in prayer.
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Elisabeth et Philippe Schmitt
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You are welcome to widely distribute this letter!"
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