---
title: "Eleven to stand trial for Thomas Perotto murder in France"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/eleven-to-stand-trial-for-thomas-perotto-murder-in-france"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/eleven-to-stand-trial-for-thomas-perotto-murder-in-france"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/eleven-to-stand-trial-for-thomas-perotto-murder-in-france.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/eleven-to-stand-trial-for-thomas-perotto-murder-in-france"
category: "Politics"
published: "2026-09-25T15:25:28.217Z"
source_reported: "2026-09-25T14:41:06.819Z"
updated: "2026-09-25T15:25:28.217Z"
trust_score: 42
critic_score: 61
hype_score: 41
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-09-25T15:15:36.530184+00:00"
---

# Eleven to stand trial for Thomas Perotto murder in France

*Judges retain racism as an aggravating circumstance against the accused, overturning a previous prosecutor's objection.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to named bodies, with one outlet providing a full report and others corroborating.
- Craft 61 of 100, higher is better. Reporting clearly separates facts from comment and provides specific details, but lacks quotes from affected parties.
- Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headlines use strong language like 'murder' and 'racism' which is supported by the article's content.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Eleven people have been ordered to stand trial for the murder of Thomas Perotto in Crépol, France.
- Investigating judges have included racism as an aggravating circumstance against the eleven accused, citing statements against 'the white race and the French nation'.
- The public prosecutor's office in Valence had previously contested the racist nature of the crime.
- A twelfth suspect will be tried for voluntary violence with weapons.

Investigating judges in France have ordered eleven individuals to stand trial for the murder of Thomas Perotto in Crépol. The judges have retained the aggravating circumstance of racism, citing statements made against "the white race and the French nation." A twelfth suspect will face trial for voluntary violence with weapons.

## Disagreement over racist motive

The public prosecutor's office in Valence had previously contested the racist nature of the crime. However, the investigating judges, in their order, included the aggravating circumstance of racism. This decision was made after receiving observations from certain civil parties, according to franceinfo. The prosecutor's office had considered these testimonies to be minor, imprecise, or contradictory, and insufficient to characterise the accusation.

## What the coverage left out

None of the digests mention the identity of the individual who delivered the fatal blow. The full report from franceinfo also stated that the author of the fatal blow remained unknown.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 14 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 43% (6)
- Centre: 50% (7)
- Right: 7% (1)

16 of 30 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-25T15:15:36.530184+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 3 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-25T16:00:41.262Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- Six left-rated reports focused on the retention of the aggravating circumstance of racism. franceinfo, which published a full report, stated that investigating judges ordered a trial for eleven accused for murder and attempted murder, retaining the aggravating circumstance of racism towards "the white race and the French nation." The report also noted that the public prosecutor's office in Valence had contested this racist nature. La Dépêche du Midi, actu.fr, L'Humanité, Mediapart, Le Huffington Post, Liberation, Le Monde, and NotreTemps.com all highlighted the trial for murder with the aggravating circumstance of racism. L'Humanité noted that this notion "delights the far right," while Mediapart mentioned that the author of the fatal knife blow remains unknown.

### Centre

- Seven centre-rated reports highlighted the trial for murder with the aggravating circumstance of racism. actu.fr, France24, Sud Ouest, leprogres.fr, lindependant.fr, ledauphine.com, and BFM TV all reported that eleven young people would be tried for murder aggravated by racism. France24 and BFM TV noted that a twelfth suspect would be tried for voluntary violence with weapons. leprogres.fr and lindependant.fr specified that the aggravating circumstance of racism was retained on the basis of testimonies of statements hostile to whites. Le Monde reported that one of the accused is a minor at the time of the events and that they are all referred to the Assize Court of the Drôme Minors.

### Right

- The single right-rated report from Le Figaro stated that the accused would be tried for racism against "the white race and the French nation." It noted that the eleven accused in the murder of the young rugby player were returned to the court of the Drôme minors.

**Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- high: 7
- unknown: 17
- veryHigh: 6

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [La Dépêche du Midi](https://ladepeche.fr/2026/09/25/mort-de-thomas-a-crepol-propos-contre-la-race-blanche-et-la-nation-francaise-loi-du-silence-tenue-du-proces-ce-que-lon-sait-trois-ans-apres-le-drame-13568658.php) — Thomas' Death in Crepol: Speech Against "the White Race and the French Nation", Law of Silence, trial... What We Know Three Years After the Drama
- [Mediapart](https://mediapart.fr/journal/france/250926/affaire-crepol-11-accuses-renvoyes-aux-assises-pour-meurtre-aggrave-par-du-racisme-contre-les-blancs) — Crépol Case: 11 Accused Sent to Trial for Murder Aggravated by Racism Against Whites
- [actu.fr](https://actu.fr/auvergne-rhone-alpes/crepol_26107/meurtre-de-thomas-a-crepol-onze-jeunes-seront-juges-pour-meurtre-avec-la-circonstance-aggravante-de-racisme_64839276.html) — Thomas's Murder in Crepol: Eleven Young People Will Be Tried for Murder with the Aggravating Circumstance of Racism
- [L'Humanité](https://humanite.fr/societe/meurtre-de-thomas-a-crepol/mort-de-thomas-a-crepol-les-11-accuses-renvoyes-aux-assises-seront-juges-pour-racisme-contre-les-blancs) — Thomas' Death in Crépol: the 11 Accused Sent Back to the Assailants, Will Be Tried for "Racism Against the Whites"
- [ИноСМИ.Ru](https://inosmi.ru/20260925/frantsiya-280345178.html) — They Were Killed because of the Colour of the Skin, Which Is Too White.
- [Radio France](https://radiofrance.fr/franceinter/podcasts/l-info-de-france-inter/l-info-de-france-inter-2756958) — Crepol: 11 Accused Returned to the Court of Assizes, for Murder Aggravated by Racism Towards "the White Race"
- [Le Singulier](https://lesinguliersete.fr/mort-de-thomas-perotto-a-crepol-onze-personnes-renvoyees-aux-assises-le-racisme-retenu-comme-circonstance) — Death of Thomas Perotto in Crépol. Eleven People Sent Back to the Assailants, Racism Retained as a Circumstance
- [France24](https://france24.com/fr/info-en-continu/20260925-affaire-cr%C3%A9pol-onze-jeunes-renvoy%C3%A9s-aux-assises-pour-meurtre-aggrav%C3%A9-par-du-racisme) — Crépol Case: Eleven Young People Sent Back to the Bench for Murder Aggravated by Racism
- [Le Huffington Post](https://huffingtonpost.fr/france/article/meurtre-de-thomas-a-crepol-la-circonstance-aggravante-de-racisme-finalement-retenue_331223.html) — Justice Holds the Aggravating Circumstance of "Racism" in the Murder of Thomas in Crépol
- [midilibre.fr](https://midilibre.fr/2026/09/25/mort-de-thomas-a-crepol-11-suspects-renvoyes-aux-assises-la-circonstance-aggravante-de-racisme-retenue-par-les-juges-13568533.php) — Thomas' Death in Crepol: 11 Suspects Sent Back to the Assailants, the Aggravating Circumstance of Racism Retained by the Judges
- [Actu17 - L'info Police Sécurité Terrorisme, maintenant.…](https://actu17.fr/justice/meurtre-de-thomas-perotto-a-crepol-le-racisme-envers-la-race-blanche-et-la-nation-francaise-retenu-contre-les-accuses.html) — Thomas Perotto's Murder in Crepol: Racism Against "the White Race and the French Nation" Held Against the Accused
- [Sud Ouest](https://sudouest.fr/justice/meurtre-de-thomas-a-crepol-en-2023-onze-jeunes-renvoyes-aux-assises-pour-meurtre-aggrave-par-du-racisme-30779277.php) — Thomas's Murder in Crépol in 2023: Eleven Young People Sent Back to the Assizes for Murder Aggravated by Racism
- [NotreTemps.com](https://notretemps.com/depeches/affaire-crepol-onze-jeunes-renvoyes-aux-assises-pour-meurtre-aggrave-par-du-racisme-139096) — Crépol Case: Eleven Young People Sent Back to the Bench for Murder Aggravated by Racism
- [LaProvence.com](https://laprovence.com/article/france-monde/39133492867118/affaire-crepol-onze-jeunes-renvoyes-aux-assises-pour-meurtre-aggrave-par-du-racisme) — Crépol Case: Eleven Young People Sent Back to the Bench for Murder Aggravated by Racism
- [Liberation](https://liberation.fr/societe/police-justice/mort-de-thomas-a-crepol-les-juges-retiennent-la-circonstance-aggravante-de-racisme-envers-la-race-blanche-20260925_SKHEDSQIXJBCFFNFR7WWYFX4J4) — Thomas' Death in Crepol: the Instruction Again Holds the Aggravating Circumstance of Racism Towards "the White Race"
- [Le Monde](https://lemonde.fr/societe/article/2026/09/25/meurtre-de-thomas-perotto-a-crepol-onze-jeunes-renvoyes-aux-assises-pour-meurtre-aggrave-par-du-racisme_6782461_3224.html) — Murder of Thomas Perotto in Crépol: Eleven Young People Sent to Trial for Murder Aggravated by Racism
- [www.cnews.fr](https://cnews.fr/france/2026-09-25/meurtre-de-thomas-crepol-les-accuses-seront-juges-pour-racisme-contre-la-race) — Thomas's Murder in Crepol: Accused Will Be Tried for Racism Against "the White Race and the French Nation"
- [estrepublicain.fr](https://estrepublicain.fr/faits-divers-justice/2026/09/25/meurtre-de-thomas-a-crepol-onze-jeunes-renvoyes-aux-assises-pour-meurtre-aggrave-par-du-racisme) — Drôme. Thomas's Murder in Crepol: Eleven Young People Sent Back for Murder Aggravated by Racism
- [bienpublic.com](https://bienpublic.com/faits-divers-justice/2026/09/25/meurtre-de-thomas-a-crepol-onze-jeunes-renvoyes-aux-assises-pour-meurtre-aggrave-par-du-racisme) — Drôme. Thomas's Murder in Crepol: Eleven Young People Sent Back for Murder Aggravated by Racism
- [republicain-lorrain.fr](https://republicain-lorrain.fr/faits-divers-justice/2026/09/25/meurtre-de-thomas-a-crepol-onze-jeunes-renvoyes-aux-assises-pour-meurtre-aggrave-par-du-racisme) — Drôme. Thomas's Murder in Crepol: Eleven Young People Sent Back for Murder Aggravated by Racism
- [leprogres.fr](https://leprogres.fr/faits-divers-justice/2026/09/25/meurtre-de-thomas-a-crepol-onze-jeunes-renvoyes-aux-assises-pour-meurtre-aggrave-par-du-racisme) — Drôme. Thomas's Murder in Crepol: Eleven Young People Sent Back for Murder Aggravated by Racism
- [vosgesmatin.fr](https://vosgesmatin.fr/faits-divers-justice/2026/09/25/meurtre-de-thomas-a-crepol-onze-jeunes-renvoyes-aux-assises-pour-meurtre-aggrave-par-du-racisme) — Drôme. Thomas's Murder in Crepol: Eleven Young People Sent Back for Murder Aggravated by Racism
- [lejsl.com](https://lejsl.com/faits-divers-justice/2026/09/25/meurtre-de-thomas-a-crepol-onze-jeunes-renvoyes-aux-assises-pour-meurtre-aggrave-par-du-racisme) — Drôme. Thomas's Murder in Crepol: Eleven Young People Sent Back for Murder Aggravated by Racism
- [lindependant.fr](https://lindependant.fr/2026/09/25/mort-de-thomas-a-crepol-les-11-accuses-seront-juges-pour-racisme-envers-la-race-blanche-et-la-nation-francaise-13568433.php) — Thomas' Death in Crepol: 11 Accused Will Be Tried for Racism Against "the White Race and the French Nation"
- [franceinfo.fr](https://franceinfo.fr/faits-divers/meurtre-de-thomas-a-crepol/meurtre-de-thomas-a-crepol-11-accuses-renvoyes-devant-une-cour-d-assises-la-circonstance-aggravante-de-racisme-envers-la-race-blanche-et-la-nation-francaise-retenue_8209406.html) — Thomas's Murder in Crepol: 11 Accused Returned to a Sitting Court, the Aggravating Circumstance of Racism Towards "the White Race and the French Nation" Retained
- [ledauphine.com](https://ledauphine.com/faits-divers-justice/2026/09/25/mort-de-thomas-a-crepol-les-accuses-seront-juges-pour-racisme-envers-la-race-blanche-et-la-nation-francaise) — Drôme. Thomas Died in Crépol: the Accused Will Be Tried for Racism Against "the White Race and the French Nation"
- [BFM TV](https://bfmtv.com/police-justice/info-bfmtv-meurtre-a-crepol-les-accuses-seront-juges-pour-racisme-contre-la-race-blanche-et-la-nation-francaise_AD-202609250406.html) — INFO BFMTV. Murder in Crepol: Accused Will Be Tried for Racism Against "the White Race and the French Nation"
- [ici.fr](https://ici.fr/auvergne-rhone-alpes/drome-26/crepol/meurtre-de-thomas-a-crepol-12-des-suspects-renvoyes-devant-les-assises-8516936) — Thomas' Murder in Crepol: 11 Accused in Front of the Assailants, the Aggravating Circumstance of Racism Retained
- [Revue de presse Police & Réalités](https://policeetrealites.com/2026/09/25/meurtre-de-thomas-a-crepol-les-11-accuses-selon-bien-juges-avec-la-circonstance-aggravante-de-racisme-envers-la-race-blanche-et-la-nation-francaise) — Thomas's Murder in Crepol: the 11 Accused on Trial with the Aggravating Circumstance of Racism Towards the White Race and the French Nation
- [Le Figaro](https://lefigaro.fr/faits-divers/meurtre-de-thomas-a-crepol-les-accuses-seront-juges-pour-racisme-envers-la-race-blanche-et-la-nation-francaise-20260925) — Thomas's Murder in Crepol: Accused Will Be Tried for Racism Against "the White Race and the French Nation"

## Questions

**How many people are being tried for the murder of Thomas Perotto?**

Eleven people have been ordered to stand trial for the murder of Thomas Perotto. An additional twelfth suspect will be tried for voluntary violence with weapons.

**What is the aggravating circumstance in the trial?**

Investigating judges have retained racism as an aggravating circumstance against the eleven accused, citing statements made against 'the white race and the French nation'. This decision overturns the public prosecutor's office's earlier objection.

**When and where did the incident occur?**

The incident occurred on the night of November 18-19, 2023, following a village event in Crépol, France.

---

MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/eleven-to-stand-trial-for-thomas-perotto-murder-in-france. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Eleven to stand trial for Thomas Perotto murder in France", https://mediabias.news/politics/eleven-to-stand-trial-for-thomas-perotto-murder-in-france