Patrick Henry

Murderer

1known / alleged victims

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Case Facts

Gender: male
Country: France
Location: Troyes, Aube department, France
Date of birth: March 31, 1953
Age at first offence: 23
Characteristics: kidnapping
Victim profile: Philippe Bertrand, 7
Method of murder: Strangulation
Date(s) of murder: January 30, 1976
Years active: 1976
Date of arrest: February 17, 1976
Status: Life imprisonment
Sentenced to life in prison, 1977

Case Summary

Case record: Patrick Henry

Background

Patrick Henry was born on March 31, 1953 in Troyes (France). He was described as a French criminal and trained in prison to be a computer engineer. He was considered by many to be a good example of a prisoner who could redeem himself and look for an honest place in society.

The offence

On January 30, 1976, Patrick Henry kidnapped 7 year old Philippe Bertrand when he was leaving school in Troyes. Very soon, he requested a ransom of 1 million French Francs from the child's parents, Gérald and Marie-Françoise Bertrand. He strangled the little boy and continued to expect the payment.

Investigation

The kidnapping provoked considerable emotion in France. Television allowed the public to follow the parents' anguish and their repeated calls to the kidnappers during the 18-day police enquiry. Patrick Henry was detained by the police for 47 hours, with the legal limit described as 48 hours before formally putting Henry under criminal investigation.

After being released, he made multiple media appearances. During those appearances, he claimed he had nothing to do with the kidnapping and he wished the kidnappers would be given the death penalty.

Patrick Henry was arrested again on 17 February 1976. The child's dead body was discovered hidden under the bed of a room that he rented.

Trial

The trial took place in January 1977.

Patrick Henry was described as having sealed his own fate with his declarations. Media editorialists and politicians were heard asking for an exemplary punishment. Patrick Henry was described as the “indefensible”.

No attorney in Troyes wanted to be his defense counsel, and Robert Bocquillon, the head of the Bar of Troyes, found his duty to volunteer for the task. Robert Bocquillon contacted Robert Badinter, an attorney famous for his struggle against the death penalty, for assistance. Robert Badinter managed to avoid Patrick Henry being sentenced to death by pleading to the jury that another death would not cancel the victim's death.

Patrick Henry was sentenced to life in prison.

Sentencing

Patrick Henry was sentenced to life in prison in January 1977.

Outcome

He was paroled in 2001 after many parole applications had been turned down.

Aftermath

Patrick Henry fell back into crime after being paroled. In August 2002, he was sentenced for some petty theft from a supermarket. In October 2002, he was arrested in Spain with ten kilograms of hashish. His parole has since been revoked.

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