# Trial of A10 Martyr: Accused Collapses During Autopsy Evidence The mother of Inass Touloub collapsed in court after viewing graphic autopsy photos. - **Source:** [20 Minutes](https://www.20minutes.fr) - **Published:** 2026-11-04 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/57dabd94-fb34-4085-8193-4b57647f7097 ## Courtroom Atmosphere Turns Tense The Blois Assizes Court fell into a heavy silence as graphic autopsy images of four-year-old Inass Touloub were projected. The child, discovered on the A10 motorway in August 1987, suffered severe abuse. Minors were removed from the public gallery, and jurors struggled to maintain composure while viewing the disturbing forensic evidence presented. ## Accused Collapses Under Pressure Halima El Bakhti, 72, collapsed and lost consciousness during the presentation of autopsy photos. Charged with acts of torture and barbarity leading to death, she had previously remained largely impassive. Emergency services were called, and the court session was suspended for the evening to ensure the defendant received necessary medical attention. ## Denials Meet Forensic Reality Throughout the trial, El Bakhti has denied the charges, citing memory lapses and claiming ignorance of her daughter's death. However, the forensic expert’s testimony regarding the extreme nature of the injuries visibly affected her. The medical examiner emphasized that the child endured immense, prolonged suffering that was impossible to ignore or misinterpret. ## Systematic and Prolonged Abuse Forensic expert Pauline Saint-Martin spent twelve minutes detailing the extensive injuries found on the victim. The report documented eight fractures, some months old and untreated, alongside at least twenty bite marks and lacerations. The evidence suggests the child did not die instantly, but rather endured a period of agony of unknown duration. ## Visual Evidence of Atrocity The medical examiner used detailed diagrams and symbols to map the repetitive violence inflicted upon the child. These visual aids were deemed essential to grasp the scale of the abuse, which investigators previously described as beyond the scope of words like horror or atrocity. The documentation covers nearly every square centimeter of skin. ## Legal Proceedings and Context The trial, which opened on Monday, involves the defendant and her ex-husband, who faces charges of complicity. While the mother has maintained a detached demeanor since the proceedings began, the introduction of physical evidence has forced a confrontation with the reality of the 1987 crime. Further testimony is expected later this week. ## Historical Case Complexity The case of the A10 martyr remains a haunting historical event in French criminal justice. Decades after the discovery of the body, the court is attempting to establish the timeline of the child's death and the specific roles of the accused. Determining the exact moment of death remains a significant challenge for experts. ## Seeking Justice for Inass The trial serves as a late attempt to provide accountability for the brutal death of Inass Touloub. By meticulously reviewing the forensic findings, the court aims to address the long-standing mystery surrounding the case. The upcoming testimonies from the accused are expected to provide further clarity on the events of that summer. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.20minutes.fr/justice/4259848-20261104-martyre-10-accusee-effondre-devant-photos-autopsie-liste-sevices-subis-enfant?at_medium=display&at_campaign=149 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._