Pierre Palmade appears Wednesday, November 20 before the Melun criminal court. He is accused of “unintentional injury” aggravated by taking drugs. The sentence could be increased since the actor was a repeat offender at the time of the facts.
This Wednesday, November 20, the Melun criminal court must look into the case linked to the accident that occurred on February 10, 2023 in Villiers-en-Bière, a village south of Melun (Seine-et-Marne), involving Pierre Palmade. During the collision, and while the 56-year-old comedian was under the influence of drugs, a 27-year-old woman, six months pregnant at the time of the incident, lost the child she was carrying.
Although “manslaughter” was considered at the start of the investigation, these charges were dropped on May 27, 2024 when a panel of experts concluded that the victim's baby was not alive at birth. . Furthermore, according to consistent case law of the Court of Cassation, a child who has not been born does not exist as a legal person.
Up to 14 years in prison and a fine of 200,000 euros
In this context, Pierre Palmade will be judged this Wednesday for “unintentional injuries” aggravated by the use of drugs, as indicated by the Melun public prosecutor's office. In addition, given the comedian's state of legal recidivism at the time of the facts, the sentence could be increased, and the actor could be sentenced to fourteen years' imprisonment and a fine of 200,000 euros. .
To understand this sentence, which could be handed down this Wednesday, it is appropriate to look at the first aggravating circumstance: taking drugs on the evening of the incident. Indeed, the day after the accident, and while he was hospitalized, Pierre Palmade tested positive for cocaine and substitution drugs.
The actor had publicly spoken about his addiction to 3-methylmethcathinon, known as 3-MMC, a synthetic drug that is part of the cathinone family. This is consumed in the form of powder, crystals or tablets.
Pierre Palmade already sentenced for acquisition of narcotics
Also, and as mentioned previously, it should be noted that at the time of the events, Pierre Palmade was a repeat offender. The man had already been convicted in 2019 for acquiring drugs.
The penalties provided for by the Penal Code for unintentional injuries vary depending on the severity of the injuries of the victim(s).
As a general rule, if there has been total incapacity for work lasting more than 3 months, the person responsible for the accident faces 3 years of imprisonment and a fine of 45,000 euros. If there is an aggravating circumstance, the penalties for the perpetrator are 5 years in prison and a fine of 75,000 euros. And if there are two aggravating circumstances, the penalties are 7 years in prison and a fine of 100,000 euros.
Thus, the total number of victims in this accident, the total incapacity for work for the victims, the driving under the influence of drugs and the recidivism of Pierre Palmade at the time of the facts could contribute to the increase in the penalty.
