French gardener goes on trial for British expat's murder
Wilson, a former advertising executive, moved to the area with Marcus, also British, in 2008.
TOULOUSE (AFP) - A French gardener went on trial Monday accused of murdering his British former boss and lover who disappeared four years ago and whose remains have never been found.
Patricia Wilson, then 58, was last seen on the evening of August 17, 2012, when she was dropped off at her home in the village of Vabre-Tizac in the Aveyron region, near the southwestern city of Toulouse.
Jean-Louis Cayrou shook his head repeatedly as the charges were read out on Monday, then said: "It’s nothing but a web of lies."
His lawyer Jacques Levy complained that his client, who faces life imprisonment if convicted, had been treated during the investigation as if he was guilty until proven innocent.
Police believe Cayrou, now 54, killed the Englishwoman after she decided to end a brief relationship with him, and that he then disposed of the body.
Alerted by neighbours five days after her disappearance, police found large quantities of Wilson’s blood around the property and in Cayrou’s car, leading them to conclude she must have been killed.
Donald Marcus, Wilson’s former partner who has since moved back into the house in Vabre-Tizac, attended the opening of the trial, which is to last until May 31.
Several dozen witnesses are to testify.
Wilson, a former advertising executive, moved to the area with Marcus, also British, in 2008.
Marcus returned to Britain in 2011 for health reasons.
A court heard in September 2014 that traces of Wilson’s DNA had been detected on several blood-stained items found in Cayrou’s car, where investigators also found an item of the victim’s underwear in the glove box.
Cayrou initially denied being at Wilson’s house on August 17, then said he had been there and touched various objects, while denying any knowledge of the murder.
The prosecutor also said Cayrou had bombarded Wilson with phone calls ahead of her disappearance, the last coming at 8:57 pm on the evening she disappeared.
The prosecution has gathered testimony from friends of Wilson who say she had reported Cayrou acting violently towards her.
Cayrou has repeatedly proclaimed his innocence but turned himself in to police on August 23, and was charged two days later.
His lawyer asked earlier: "There is no other suspect, but have they looked for one?"
