Headlines
French appeals court lowers charges against police officer facing trial for killing of teenager
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 5, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 5, 2026
Versailles Court Reduces Charge for French Officer in Teen’s Fatal Shooting
French Officer Faces Lesser Charge After Teen’s Shooting
By Juliette Jabkhiro
Background of the Incident
PARIS, March 5 (Reuters) - A French police officer initially charged with murder in the deadly shooting of a teenager in 2023 will instead stand trial for the lesser charge of voluntary assault leading to death, the Versailles appeals court said on Thursday.
Police officer Florian M. had fired at Nahel Merzouk after the latter had failed to comply with an order to stop his car.
The seventeen year old had later died from his wounds, sparking violent protests across the country.
Initial Charges and Legal Proceedings
In 2025, the Nanterre prosecutor's office said one of two officers under investigation, identified as Florian M., would face the Assize Court of Hauts-de-Seine on charges of murder.
Florian M. appealed, and the court lowered the charges on Thursday.
Defense and Legal Reactions
His lawyer Laurent-Franck Lienard said he was satisfied with that decision but said that his client should not be on trial at all.
"On this point, it is a real disappointment," he said. "We will continue our efforts so that his shooting is recognized as legitimate."
Legal Implications of the Reduced Charge
Under French law, voluntary assault leading to death by a person holding state authority carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, compared with up to 30 years for murder.
A charge of complicity in murder against the other officer was dropped in June.
Court’s Statement and Public Response
Court’s Reasoning
"The court did not follow the investigating judges regarding the homicidal intent, considering that it had not been established that Florian M. intended, at the moment he fired, to take the driver’s life," the court said in a statement.
A video, widely circulated on social media and verified by Reuters, had shown two police officers beside the car, a Mercedes-AMG, with one firing his weapon as the driver pulled away.
Reactions from the Victim’s Family
"This is a rather scandalous and shameful decision," said Frank Berton, lawyer for the family of Nahel M.
"It is not for the Versailles appeals court to rule on the intent to kill. With this decision, the court allows the police officer to avoid appearing before a jury."
(Reporting by Juliette Jabkhiro; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about French appeals court lowers charges against police officer facing trial for killing of teenager
1What charge will the French police officer face in the 2023 shooting case?
The officer will face trial for voluntary assault leading to death instead of murder.
2Who was the victim in the French police shooting case?
The victim was Nahel Merzouk, a 17-year-old who died after being shot by police.
3Why was the murder charge against the officer downgraded?
The Versailles appeals court ruled there was no established intent to kill at the moment the officer fired.
4What are the maximum sentences for the charges involved?
Voluntary assault leading to death by a state authority carries up to 20 years, compared to up to 30 years for murder.
5What was the response from the victim’s family's lawyer to the decision?
The lawyer called the decision 'scandalous and shameful,' criticizing the court for allowing the officer to avoid appearing before a jury.
