On July 1, 2021 the North Assize Court of Appeal in Douai, France, confirmed the 2019 verdict of the lower court that sentenced Willy Bardon to 30 years in prison. Bardon was accused, convicted, and sentenced for the 2002 kidnapping, confinement, rape, and murder of Elodie Kulik.
One of the conflicting points was that the lower court found Barton guilty of Elodie’s murder and not just the abduction and rape.
Bardon claims that he is innocent. He was arrested in 2013. The defense will appeal to the Court of Cassation, the highest court of appeal in France.
After the initial conviction, Bardon tried to commit suicide by swallowing pesticide. He was hospitalized for five days.
Before she died, Elodie called France’s emergency services. That heartbreaking 26 second tape was played in court and is key evidence. Six witnesses testified during the initial trial that they recognized the voice of Willy Bardon on that tape. The other suspect, Gregory Wiart, passed away in 2003. His DNA was found at the crime scene.
Case information: In the night of January 10 to 11, 2002, Elodie Kulik (24) was murdered. She was kidnapped and raped. Her body was set on fire. Her remains were left in a farmer’s field. Read this post for more.
Rest in peace, Elodie Kulik.