Mr. Thiam, also known as "Thiam Balamaissa," 40, faces life imprisonment for the murder of his young wife, Amy Kâ. This exceptionally brutal attack occurred in Malika, after only four months of marriage.

A blind jealousy with fatal consequences

Everything changed on November 12, 2019, according to L'Observateur, when a roommate insinuated that the young wife was having an extramarital affair. Despite doubts about the veracity of these claims, Thiam, a driver with a volatile temper and a long criminal record, flew into a rage. After a tense first night, the irreparable occurred the following day.

The "accident" theory refuted by the autopsy

In court, the accused attempted to portray the events as a domestic accident. According to his version, he had simply pushed his wife away, who had hit her head on the bed before succumbing to a "trance-like state".

But the autopsy report is unequivocal: Amy Kâ died from a cervical dislocation and spinal cord injury, resulting from a violent blow with a blunt object. The prosecutor condemned the defendant's "bad faith," who allegedly even prevented neighbors from approaching the dying victim.

A repeat offender and violent husband

Witnesses describe a man with a volatile temper, under the influence of alcohol on the night of the incident, who had a history of repeated violence against his wife. The accused is also being prosecuted for possession of marijuana, which was found in his bedroom during the search.

The prosecution has requested a life sentence, arguing that the intent to kill is evident given the violence of the blows.

The defense, for its part, is arguing for the charges to be reduced to "voluntary assault and battery resulting in death without intent to kill," requesting leniency from the court on behalf of its client after six years of pretrial detention. The victim's mother, meanwhile, has withdrawn all claims for financial compensation.

The verdict is expected on March 3, adds the daily newspaper of the Future Media Group.