French couple on trial for serial killings

By Thierry Leveque

CHARLEVILLE-MEZIERES, France (Reuters) - A self-confessed serial killer and rapist dubbed the "Ogre of the Ardennes" refused to speak at the start of his trial on Thursday for murdering seven young women with the help of his wife.

Michel Fourniret, 65, has admitted killing seven women and girls over a 14-year period from 1987 to 2001. He operated mainly in the Ardennes region of northern France and Belgium.

His wife, Monique Olivier, 59, is accused of taking part in one of the murders and helping Fourniret in four others, by luring unsuspecting victims or helping dispose of their bodies. She says she acted under the influence of her husband.

If convicted, they face life imprisonment.

Described by investigators as narcissistic, authoritarian and manipulative, Fourniret appeared in court, sitting opposite his victims' relatives, several of whom were clearly distraught and had to leave the courtroom.

However, he refused to address the court after his request to hold a closed hearing was rejected. Instead he held up a sign reading: "Without a closed hearing, sealed lips".

Olivier, looking worn, also appeared in court and did not look at her husband.

Fourniret gave a document to judge Gilles Latapie in which he said he had forced his wife into cooperating and in which he described himself as "a bad person without any human feelings".