08 February 2023 , 15:51
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A man allegedly stabbed his female neighbour to death after her loud music was distracting him during a game of Scrabble.
'Benjamin C', 41, from France, was playing Scrabble in Lyon on May 16, 2020 when he allegedly killed 21-year-old student Romane after she held a small gathering at her home with friends.
The students played cards and listened to some music, which neighbours and police said wasn't very loud, when Benjamin stormed out of his house and knocked on her door.
He demanded the neighbour turned down the music as her friends came to the door and explained to him their music was not loud.
During their discussion he allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed Romane in the femoral artery, causing her to bleed to heavily on the floor.
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The student is alleged to have said "you're crazy" when he entered her home with a knife.
He returned back to his house after the attack and played Scrabble (Fairfax Media via Getty Images)Her friends tried to get rid of the attacker by launching a stool at him as he fled the home.
She was rushed to hospital where she tragically died just two days later from her injuries.
Police were called to the scene and went to Benjamin's house where he was found casually resuming his game of Scrabble.
He turned around and asked cops "how is she?" after the attack as he remained seated on his sofa.
The suspect's lawyer said Benjamin was "disturbed" by the noise coming from the student's home as his poor eyesight had made his hearing more sensitive.
Due to this reason, Benjamin has pleaded not guilty to intentional murder as he "didn't realise he had wounded anyone" due to his eyesight.
He only intended to scare the victim, according to his lawyer.
Psychology tests were done on the man which concluded the suspect was not suffering from a mental illness which might have promoted his reaction.
However, it was revealed his actions were due to a possible build up of tension with the tenant.
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According to the accused, he had sent dozens of letters to the building manager requesting the student's lease be terminated and offered to pay him to help speed up the eviction.
He allegedly called up four times to the manager to demand the process be sped up before eventually exploding in anger, according to his lawyers.