Thierry Paulin
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Thierry Paulin (born November 28, 1963 in Fort-de-France, Martinique, dead April 16, 1989 in Fresnes, Val-de-Marne, France, nicknamed the Beast of Montmartre or Dandy of death or the Old Ladies' killer) was a French serial killer in the 80's.
Child of a white man who flew back to France before his birth and a black teenager, Paulin was raised in Martinique by his maternal grandmother, who owned a restaurant and didn't have enough time to cherish and spoil her grandson. When he was ten, Paulin went back to his mother's, meeting his step-brothers and sisters. His behaviour started to become erratic and violent towards them, so his mother asked his father to take the kid with him. Mr. Paulin Sr., in order to avoid alimony, accepted.
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[edit] Paulin's arrival in France
For the teenager, the life in Toulouse's popular suburbs was unbearable. Plus, his father got married too and he had several children. Thierry, as the only coloured kid, was cast away and grew alone. At school, he failed at each and every exam. When he was 17, he decided to do an early military service in the parachutists' troops. But in that place, nobody liked him because he was black and gay. Mocked every day, working at the army's barber, he felt more and more miserable day after day. On November 14, 1982, he attacks an old lady in her grocery, menacing her with a knife to stole her money. But the grocer knew him as a client, and he was soon arrested. In June 1983, he was sentenced to two years of jail "avec sursis", so he remained free.
[edit] From Toulouse to Paris
In 1984, after leaving the army, Paulin found out his mother and her family lived now in Nanterre, a northern suburb of Paris. He went there to live with them, but the co-existence bothered him. In fact, he deeply hated his mother because she rejected him when he was a toddler. He has got a job : waiter at the "Paradis Latin", a night-club reknowned for his tranvestite show. There, he started a carrer as an artist, dressed in drag and singing tunes from his favourite singer, Eartha Kitt. His mother was invited to watch it once, but she left the club, terribly shocked, a few seconds after the beginning of her sons' performance. But the main thing that happened to Paulin at the "Paradis Latin" was Jean-Thierry Mathurin. He was 19, born in French Guyana, drug addict and gay. Paulin fell in love with him and soon, they became lovers. To be honest, part of this relationship depends on Mathurin's addiction. Paulin was an addict too, but not as much, and mainly, he was a dealer.
On October 05, 1984, two old women are assaulted in Paris. Germaine Petitot, 91, survived but was too shocked to describe precisely the criminals. Anna Barbier-Ponthus, 83, died after being beated and asphyxied under a pillow. Her murderer killed her for 300 francs (about 50 dollars). Within the months of October and November 1984, eight other old ladies are murdered, mainly in the 18th precinct of Paris, but in the neighbor precincts too. The violence of the crimes is dreadful : some of the victims had the head stuck into a plastic bag, some were beaten to death, one of them was forced to drink some drain cleaner ! And every time, the murder happened for money.
At the same time, Paulin and Mathurin lead the life they wish to have : every night in dancings, champagne, cocaine, meeting "people"... In late November, feeling that staying in Paris might be dangerous for them, they prefer to go to Toulouse and stay a few months at Paulin's father's. But Paulin Sr. can't accept his son's sexuals preferences, and violent fights happened, ending when Paulin and Mathurin broke up. Mathurin left and came back to Paris, while Paulin tried to create his own firm of tranvestite artists. His plan failed in autumn 1985. Paulin has to kill again.
[edit] The second wave
From December 20, 1985, to June 14, 1986, eight other old ladies are murdered. But the police can't find the killer. Investigator have some clues, though : the killer (one of them) is the same who was guilty of the 1984's crimes, thanks to his fingerprints. But something changed in his way to commit the crime. The death happened more fast, with a lot less cruelties... Autumn 1986 : Paulin was sentenced to 16 months of jail. But not for the old ladies's murders. He was pissed at one of his cocaine dealers and beat him up with a baseball bat. The dealer went to the police and Paulin was arrested. He stayed one year in Fresnes prison. And when he came out, he wanted to lead one more time his life of pleasure. He knew he was condemned : he has AIDS.
[edit] The final countdown
So, more exuberant than ever with his bleached Carl Lewis' hairstyle, his big diamond at the left ear, Paulin organized parties, spending a lot of money, sparing no dispense : all the money came from stolen credit cards and checks, and from murders too... Every time Paulin commit a murder, he explained his friends, in awe in front of his wealthiness : "I just went to the bank, this morning !" On November 25, 1987, Rachel Cohen was murdered. The same day, Paulin attacked Mrs. Finalteri, and two days later, he strangled Genevieve Germont, who will be his last victim. But while Paulin celebrated his 24th birthday, something unpredictable happened : Mrs Finalteri survived and gave an accurate description of the murderer. And, on December 1, while he was walking down the street, Paulin was arrested by commissionner Jacob. After two days, he told everything and even talked about Mathurin. Accused of committing 18 murders (though he claimed being responsible of 21), he was sent to jail waiting for the trial. For all his friends, his arrest was the worst of all surprises. In early 1988, Paulin felt sick : HIV was getting stronger in his body. After one year, the effects became terrible. Almost paralysed, he was hospitalized, suffering from both tuberculosis and meningitis. He died during the night of April 16, 1989, in Fresnes prison's hospital wing.
Only Mathurin was judged for the nine first old ladies' attacks and murders. He was given a life sentence, plus 18 years without parole. He's still incarcerated for the moment. But, as the law says, nobody is guilty before a jury said so. Presumed innocent, in law terms, Thierry Paulin isn't the "Old Ladies' killer".
[edit] Film references
The 1994 movie J'ai pas sommeil (I Can't Sleep), by director Claire Denis (Chocolat, No Fear No Die) was based on the Paulin's case.
