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Minister's niece guilty of murder Minister's niece guilty of murder
(about 1 hour later)
The niece of UK junior defence minister Quentin Davies has been jailed for 15 years after being convicted of murdering a man at her flat in Paris.The niece of UK junior defence minister Quentin Davies has been jailed for 15 years after being convicted of murdering a man at her flat in Paris.
Jessica Davies, 30, admitted stabbing Olivier Mugnier after a drunken binge but said she had a blackout.Jessica Davies, 30, admitted stabbing Olivier Mugnier after a drunken binge but said she had a blackout.
The 24-year-old, who met her in a bar, died after being struck twice in the chest in November 2007.The 24-year-old, who met her in a bar, died after being struck twice in the chest in November 2007.
The court heard the knife was used by Davies to slash her own wrists and legs after a break-up a few months earlier.The court heard the knife was used by Davies to slash her own wrists and legs after a break-up a few months earlier.
Davies, who has French and UK nationality, was said to be four times over the drink-drive limit and could barely stand or speak when arrested at her home in Saint-Germain-en-Laye.Davies, who has French and UK nationality, was said to be four times over the drink-drive limit and could barely stand or speak when arrested at her home in Saint-Germain-en-Laye.
The court in Versailles also sentenced her to 10 years of probation and psychological monitoring and awarded 100,000 euros (£89,653) in damages to Mr Mugnier's family.The court in Versailles also sentenced her to 10 years of probation and psychological monitoring and awarded 100,000 euros (£89,653) in damages to Mr Mugnier's family.
'I am a monster''I am a monster'
The two-day trial was told Davies suffered from psychological problems after her British businessman father and French mother divorced when she was 14.The two-day trial was told Davies suffered from psychological problems after her British businessman father and French mother divorced when she was 14.
She was said to have taken to drink, drugs and casual sex, scraped through school and university and failed to hold down a job.She was said to have taken to drink, drugs and casual sex, scraped through school and university and failed to hold down a job.
I don't remember killing Olivier, but I take responsibility for killing him Jessica DaviesI don't remember killing Olivier, but I take responsibility for killing him Jessica Davies
Davies told the court she spent most of the day before the killing drinking in a series of bars with friends before going alone to an Irish pub near her home.Davies told the court she spent most of the day before the killing drinking in a series of bars with friends before going alone to an Irish pub near her home.
Davies met her student victim there and they went back to her flat. They drank wine and tried to have sex.Davies met her student victim there and they went back to her flat. They drank wine and tried to have sex.
She said she only remembered coming round to find Mr Mugnier bleeding to death on her bed.She said she only remembered coming round to find Mr Mugnier bleeding to death on her bed.
Later that night she called police, who found her trying to stem the flow of blood from his body.Later that night she called police, who found her trying to stem the flow of blood from his body.
She told officers: "I did it. I can't tell you why, but I did it... I am a monster."She told officers: "I did it. I can't tell you why, but I did it... I am a monster."
But Davies told the court she had no recollection of the killing except "the sensation of the knife going in".But Davies told the court she had no recollection of the killing except "the sensation of the knife going in".
She said: "I am horrified by what I have done.She said: "I am horrified by what I have done.
"I remember telling the police [who arrived at the murder scene] that I was a monster."I remember telling the police [who arrived at the murder scene] that I was a monster.
"I don't remember killing Olivier, but I take responsibility for killing him.""I don't remember killing Olivier, but I take responsibility for killing him."
'Selective memory''Selective memory'
Psychiatric health experts told the court Davies had mixed alcohol with prescription drugs to treat depression, a combination which could have triggered aggression.Psychiatric health experts told the court Davies had mixed alcohol with prescription drugs to treat depression, a combination which could have triggered aggression.
The trial was held over two days
In her closing speech, prosecutor Myriam Quemener criticised Davies for her "selective memory" and said she had had chosen to drift through life despite a background of "privilege".In her closing speech, prosecutor Myriam Quemener criticised Davies for her "selective memory" and said she had had chosen to drift through life despite a background of "privilege".
Defence lawyer Daniel Soulez Lariviere argued she had long suffered psychological problems for which she had not received care until her arrest.Defence lawyer Daniel Soulez Lariviere argued she had long suffered psychological problems for which she had not received care until her arrest.
Davies' uncle has served in Parliament for more than 20 years. Originally elected as a Conservative MP, he defected to Labour in 2007.Davies' uncle has served in Parliament for more than 20 years. Originally elected as a Conservative MP, he defected to Labour in 2007.