2023 – The Chartreux tattoo artist case

On 31 August 2016, Rodolphe X, who was riding home on his motorbike, was hit by several gunshots and died of his injuries at the scene after the fire brigade arrived. His 16-year-old son witnessed the scene.

A hard worker, Rodolphe X ran a thriving tattoo parlour in Marseille. Described as a sensitive, helpful and very kind man, he had been married to the same woman for several years. They were in the middle of divorce proceedings. His wife had thrown him out of the family home a few months before the murder. The investigation revealed serious conflicts between Rodolphe X and his ex-wife. She explained that she had been attacked outside her home by two men wearing helmets a few months before Rodolphe’s murder.

Investigators received an anonymous tip-off that Rodolphe X had got to know a man called Philippe, whom he used to meet in a bar in the Chartreux district. Rodolphe had allegedly told Philippe and his associates of his plan to have his ex-wife “neutralised”. Philippe had allegedly agreed to the plan in return for €50,000. For an unknown reason, the plan is said to have turned against Rodolphe.

After extensive investigations, in particular of telephone records, Philippe was placed under formal investigation and remanded in custody for organised-gang murder and criminal conspiracy.

After being defended by Philippe VOULAND throughout the judicial investigation, Philippe was released and sent for trial before the criminal court on the charge of criminal conspiracy.

Defended by Tom BONNIFAY and Victoria KOSAK before the 7^th criminal chamber in Marseille, he was acquitted of all charges. His defence had been built on a meticulous and uncompromising challenge to every piece of incriminating evidence — painstaking work that paid off.

He has since been compensated for the pre-trial detention he wrongly served in this case.

Read an article in La Provence about this case (in French): Link to the article