After remaining silent for six years, the Guazzelli brothers, Richard and Christophe, finally spoke out in court during their trial at the Assize Court of Bouches-du-Rhone in Aix-en-Provence. They had previously refused to provide any explanation for a double murder that they are accused of committing. The victims, Jean-Luc Codaccioni and Antoine Quilichini, were members of a criminal clan in Corsica and were killed as an act of revenge for the death of the Guazzelli brothers’ father, Francis Guazzelli, in 2009.
During the trial, the brothers, who had always remained silent, talked extensively about their father, portraying him as a family man and not as the criminal mastermind that investigators described him to be. Richard, the elder brother, described their father as a pillar of their home and not of a gang. He recalled fond memories of their village in La Porta, such as hunting parties and memories of their father, depicting him as a hunter, a villager, and most importantly, a loving father. Their family friend also testified that the word ‘thug’ was never spoken in the Guazzelli household.
The brothers highlighted their strong bond and unwavering solidarity throughout the trial, recounting childhood football games with their father and adolescent anecdotes. This bond was evident in the admiration that Richard had for his younger brother, Christophe, who pursued a career in professional football, playing for clubs such as Chateauroux and Nantes in Ligue 1. Despite their strong family ties, the brothers found it difficult to open up to their mother, who struggled to connect with the trio of father and sons.
The trial provided a glimpse into the personal lives of the Guazzelli brothers, revealing their deep-rooted connection to their family and their father. The court heard about their upbringing, their shared memories, and the impact of their father’s death on their lives. The brothers shared intimate details and emotions that they had never expressed before, offering a unique perspective on the events leading up to the double murder they are accused of committing.
As the trial progresses, the court continues to delve into the complexities of the case, exploring the motives behind the murders and the events that led to the violent act. The brothers’ decision to break their silence after six years adds a new dimension to the trial, shedding light on the human side of the accused individuals. With the verdict expected in July, the outcome of the trial remains uncertain, but the emotional testimonies provided by the Guazzelli brothers have added a personal touch to the proceedings, offering a deeper understanding of the events that transpired on that fateful day in December 2017.
