HAUTE LOIRE, France, June 30 (UPI) -- A French court sentenced a 19-year-old man to life in prison for raping, killing and burning the body of a 13-year-old classmate in 2011.
Friday's sentencing was the first time a lifetime sentence was handed down to a minor at the time of the crime since 1989, Radio France Internationale reported Sunday.
Matthieu, whose last name was not reported, was 17 years old when he lured 13-year-old Agnes Marin into the woods near they school they both attended in Chambon-sur-Lignon. Police say he admitted to "killing, raping and burning" Agnes.
The juvenile court in Haute-Loire went beyond the prosecution's request of a 30-year sentence for Matthieu and gave him life in prison, RFI said.
Matthieu's lawyers said they plan to appeal the verdict noting their client's age at the time of the crime and that his name was revealed to the public, violating French law.
