A legal saga that has finally come to an end.
In addition to his detention, Jonathann Daval faced another legal proceeding. He was prosecuted for "malicious denunciation" after falsely accusing his brother-in-law, Grégory Gay, during the investigation of being involved in Alexia's death. Alexia's parents were seeking €60,000 in damages.
In April 2024, the Besançon criminal court acquitted him, ruling that his statements were part of his defense. The family appealed, and the Besançon Court of Appeal issued its final decision on June 13, 2025: the acquittal was upheld.
This legal aspect of the case is now closed.
When might he be eligible for parole?
His sentence includes a mandatory minimum term of 12 and a half years. Including his pre-trial detention which began in January 2018, Jonathann Daval could theoretically apply for a sentence adjustment around 2030, and consider parole around 2035 — subject to proven reintegration, medical follow-up and a favorable assessment by the sentencing judge.
One of the most significant criminal cases of recent decades continues to generate discussion
