Former anesthesiologist Frédéric Péchier (center), arriving at court in the eastern French city of Besançon on September 9, 2025. SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP
The box of tissues sat atop the bailiff's table, within easy reach of the witness stand, where dozens testified since September 8. At the trial of Frédéric Péchier, an anesthesiologist accused of 30 poisonings in the eastern French city of Besançon between 2008 and 2017, the box emptied quickly and the tears flowed freely.
Subscribers only
Frédéric Péchier, an anesthesiologist accused of 30 poisonings, goes on trial
According to Frédéric Douchez, the lawyer representing the Saint-Vincent Clinic, the criminal court is currently judging "the biggest medical criminal case in the history" of the country. While Péchier's guilt is still in dispute, the defense no longer challenges the idea that a serial killer, clad in a doctor's white coat, existed – quite the contrary. This represents a notable about-face after eight years of constant denials. It began on Friday, October 24, when the defendant's lawyer, Randall Schwerdorffer, stated he was "certain that someone – a man or a woman – poisoned patients at Saint-Vincent." Of the 16 suspect cases examined so far, Péchier's defense acknowledged the existence of nine malicious acts.
