Stéphane Plaza is on trial before the Paris court this Thursday, January 9, for domestic violence. He faces the two main complainants and gives his version of the facts.
This Thursday, January 9, the trial of Stéphane Plaza began. The host is on trial for “habitual violence by a partner”. He is accused by two former companions of physical and psychological violence between 2018 and 2022. One of the complainants assures in particular that the host allegedly broke her finger and dislocated two others, while threatening her. The second said that the M6 star bit her twice for no reason and was sometimes very aggressive. These two women were given incapacity for work for more than eight days. Thus, Stéphane Plaza risks up to ten years in prison and a fine of 150,000 euros. He is also at stake in his media future since M6 had ruled out ending its collaboration with the host in the absence of a conviction.
Before the 10th chamber of the Paris judicial court, the host is present to defend himself. From the first day, he faced the two complainants, who gave their version of the facts. Stéphane Plaza defends himself and also returns to the different scenes of which he is accused. He denies any act of violence and assured that he could not “control his strength” because of his dispraxia. For the host, all this was imagined by his ex-partners, who have not digested the breakup.
An argument that the plaintiffs’ lawyers do not accept at all: “The posture of the defendant Plaza, which consists of presenting himself as a victim of spurned women, is a laughable cliché,” commented Benjamin Chouai, lawyer for one of the plaintiffs. The testimony of a third woman could be cited during the hearing, even if she does not appear in the charge retained for the trial. She said she had been threatened with a fork by Stéphane Plaza at the restaurant because she had just revealed to him that she had discovered his infidelity.
Stéphane Plaza’s lawyers have reportedly asked several witnesses to appear in order to deny the accusers’ statements. Four or five people should take the stand to defend Stéphane Plaza during the rest of the trial. They intend to obtain the release of the host, knowing that the verdict should not be rendered until February 18.
Latest updates
15:34 – Stéphane Plaza very agitated during his speech
According to BFMTV, Stéphane Plaza appears very agitated on the stand, speaking loudly and gesticulating a lot. Defending himself rigorously, he replays and mimes the scenes of the facts with which he is accused. He doesn’t give up but the president questions him about all the details.
14:54 – Stéphane Plaza gives his version of the facts
This Thursday afternoon, Stéphane Plaza is at the helm. He was questioned about the facts with which he is accused. He first talked about meeting the first woman who provided him with his CV. He assures that they then talked and ended up exchanging “naughty photos”. “I fell under the spell of this woman,” said Stéphane Plaza, adding that he worked with the young woman regularly and for a long time. However, he disputes any episode of violence. “I repeat to you face to face: there was no violence,” he declared before the judges. The complainant also accuses him of having broken her finger and dislocated two others. The host talks about an accident: “The first sequence is true. I don’t control my strength. I’m dyspraxic. I’ve hurt many people. But physically, I don’t pin them against the wall.” According to him, this incident took place during a scene of jealousy. “She freaks out, says to me, ‘You’re an asshole.’ loudly I tell her, ‘Look, I better leave’ and she blocks my way. The young woman then raised her hand in the air. “I took it and sent them down,” he explained.
-12:35 – A decision rendered on February 18
According to a BFMTV correspondent, the president of the court has indicated that he will not deliver his judgment this evening. The decision was announced for Tuesday February 18 at 1:30 p.m.
12:03 – An investigation denounced by the defense
As the hearing began, Stéphane Plaza’s lawyer assured that the prosecution’s investigation was carried out “solely against” his client. He denounced a “steamroller” who attacked his client, following accusations from women “not happy to have had to endure breakups”. “Due to his status as a public figure, he did not have the right to a fair procedure,” said the lawyer. The plaintiffs’ lawyers responded: “I didn’t intend to plead, but I’m going to do it anyway because it shocks me a little. It’s so outrageous. We’re talking about a legal conspiracy led by the prosecutor’s office”, reacted Me Clotilde Lepetit, lawyer for a plaintiff. “I think that Mr. Plaza’s defense misread the file,” added Me Benjamin Chouai, lawyer for the second plaintiff.
11:10 – Stéphane Plaza at the helm
While the trial is open, the morning hearing is expected to address procedural issues. The host’s lawyers would have raised several nullities. The merits of the case should be studied this afternoon. At the stand, Stéphane Plaza, in a dark blue suit, had to reveal his identity before the president of the court began reading the facts.
10:40 – The complaint filed by Stéphane Plaza dismissed
On the sidelines of the trial, Stéphane Plaza had filed a complaint for harassment and cyberharassment against his two former partners. BFMTV has learned that this complaint was dismissed. The real estate agent is then deprived of a defense argument.
10:07 – Stéphane Plaza arrived at court
Stéphane Plaza is present at his trial for domestic violence. He arrived at court, as shown in images from BFMTV.
09:48 – Stéphane Plaza came out of silence shortly before his trial
Stéphane Plaza denies the accusations made against him and intends to defend himself. Discreet during the affair, he broke his silence in December on Instagram, a few weeks before his trial. He wrote in an Instagram story: “My silence can resonate and challenge, but it is necessary to allow justice, in which I have total trust, to do its work on January 9.” He also addressed those who supported him during this “difficult year”. “I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your unwavering support throughout this year. It has been difficult, but thanks to you, I am still standing,” he added.
09:30 – Plaza trial begins
At 9:30 a.m. this Thursday, January 9, the Stéphane Plaza trial opens before the 10th chamber of the Paris judicial court. The host is accused of physical and psychological violence against two ex-partners. The host and the accusers will be present at the trial. Stéphane Plaza faces up to 10 years in prison.
