A French police officer will face trial over the killing of a teen that set off nationwide riots
NBCMAY 28
French Officer to Face Murder Trial in Teen's 2023 Shooting
Above: A woman holds a placard demanding justice for Nahel amidst the crowd at Place Nelson Mandela during the demonstration on Nov. 19, 2023. Image copyright: Telmo Pinto/Contributor/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
This case is a clear abuse of police power where an officer killed an unarmed teenager without justification. The video evidence completely contradicts police lies about self-defense, showing cold-blooded murder during a routine traffic stop. The massive fundraiser for the killer cop versus the victim's family exposes France's deep-seated racism problem.
Narrative B
Police officers face split-second life-or-death decisions in dangerous situations, and this officer was doing his job protecting public safety. The investigation ignored the legitimate threat posed during the traffic stop, and the rush to prosecute reflects political pressure rather than justice. The officer deserves support, not persecution, for serving his community.