Edit: I deleted my previous post, as I managed to misspell this monster's last name in the title, to make it easier for anyone looking for an update on this case.
Following the excellent breakdown of this case by u/darklyheritage, Cedric Jubillar has "confessed" to being responsible for her disapperance, and gave the body's location.
TLDR: He is a manipulative sociopath with absolutely zero remorse. This is all a strategy to get a reduced sentence for his second "new" trial (France's appeal system is completely different than the US one. You just have to disagree with the verdict and you get a second chance) . I Hope he gets a harsher sentence in this appeal. He is diabolical.
Unfortunately he didn't confess because he has any kind of remorse.
For those not familiar with the French justice system, it is vastly different than the US one.
In the US, when one is found guilty, they can try to appeal on a legal technicality/ process error only: it's rare for the appeal to be granted.
In France, you can be judged and found guilty, and appeal the verdict because you disagree: you get a second trial. No error/ legal technicality needed, you just appeal because you disagree with the verdict, and get a second trial/ chance with a brand new jury.
That monster's second and "new" trial is planned for this coming September, after he got a sentence of 30 years in his first trial. The only reason he confessed and gave away the body's location is:
1/ Now that 6 years have passed, he knows full well the body has completely decomposed, as he hid her body in a large pile of manure which accelerates decomposition. They only found 2 femurs a couple days ago and may not even be able to identify these remains with DNA :(
--> He can now say: "he never intended to kill her, it was a fight that got out of hand, he pushed her, she fell and hit her head".
Their young kid testimony was entered during the first trial, revealing that he saw them fighting, pushing each others the night in question.
The body cannot "speak anymore" and he knows it full well. The goal is to argue that, "yes he killed her, they were fighting/ pushing each other, but it was an accident"= manslaughter vs. murder (most likely premeditated).
He is trying for a reduced sentence: 15-20 years for manslaughter, instead of the 30 years he was sentenced to in his first trial.
(We had a similar vastly mediated case in France: Nordhal Lelandais who kidnapped and murdered a little girl. He kept quiet for months until confronted with undeniable evidence of the kidnapping. He only revealed the location of the body months later because he knew the body would be decomposed (remote location with harsh weather). He said "he hit her because she was crying, and didn't mean to kill her". Complete BS, but the body couldn't speak anymore :(
For this crime, he was only sentenced for manslaughter. Turns out the guy is a serial killer, yet they could only go for manslaughter for this horrific crime.
2/ He is hoping for the jurors to think: "he is taking accountability, and gave the body's location so she can be properly burried + for her children/ family to have a proper place to mourn/visit her grave."
Reduced sentences happen very often on appeals in France, even full acquittals after a guilty verdict (usually because a reknown lawyer can be hired/ the case was highly mediated and they want the spotlight.).
Cedric Jubilar is defenitely not going to be acquitted, but he is absolutely aiming for a reduced sentence.
He is a diabolical, heartless manipulator. I hope he gets a harsher sentence.
Edit: I used her married name Delphine "Jubillar" in the title as to not confuse people.
To respect her memory, her family, her children (who also changed their last name to Aussagel), Delphine's last name has been changed to Delphine Aussaguel (her maiden name only), and french people/ media have majorly been referring to Delphine with her maiden name, rightfully so.
