French state sued for ‘failing to protect’ woman who killed rapist husband

Lawyers say Valerie Bacot, on trial for murder, is victim of authorities' gross negligence

Lawyers representing a woman who killed her stepfather turned husband after 24 years of violence that started when he raped her at 12 are taking legal action against the French state for gross negligence" after claims the authorities failed to act on reports she was being abused.

Valerie Bacot's defence team said a summons for liability had been filed with the Paris tribunal. Her lawyers point out that her children twice went to the police to report their father - who was Bacot's stepfather - for abusing her but no action was taken.