Pierre Palmade’s trial started this Wednesday. While the actor asked for “forgiveness” from the victims, their lawyer did not mince his words during his pleading.
The trial of Pierre Palmade, involved in a serious road accident that occurred last February while he was under the influence of drugs, was marked by a poignant argument from the lawyer for the civil parties, Me Mourad Battikh.
“My clients have lost the taste for life”
Addressing the court, Me Mourad Battikh spoke of the shattered lives of his clients, in particular Mila and her husband, deeply affected by the accident. “Her husband decided not to be present in this courtroom because he probably did not want to forgive Mr. Palmade as much,” he explained. “He does not forgive the fact that this man, through his reckless choices, blew up his family (…) but he had the decency not to be present.”
Echoing a statement made by Pierre Palmade earlier, the lawyer retorted: “My clients have lost their taste for life.” A sentence full of meaning, particularly when he spoke of the loss of a fetus in this tragic accident: “When you lose a child, there are no words. When you lose a fetus, there is no law.”
Devrim, the wounded child
Me Battikh also gave news of Devrim, a young boy seriously injured in the accident. “If Devrim didn’t come, it’s because I told him not to come.”he said. According to him, the child is marked both physically and psychologically. “He’s in the corner of his classroom, he’s in the corner of the living room. He’s in the corner of the playground. He’s afraid of other people.”
The after-effects are visible for Devrim: “His jaw is shifted (…) he sees the eyes of others resting on it. He knows that when he speaks, he speaks badly. He knows the scar on the chin is visible, he knows the scar on the side of the head is visible.”
“A tragedy that could have been avoided”
In a firm indictment, the lawyer recalled the responsibility of Pierre Palmade. “We have an individual who deliberately, who knowingly made the decision to use drugs for three days. And the decision was made to hit the road.” He also denounced the attitude of the passengers present in the car at the time of the incident: “It is a tragedy which could have been avoided, which could have been lessened, if the passengers had not cowardly left the scene, left the scene.”
Despite the pain and anger of his clients, Me Battikh wanted to emphasize their dignity: “With great dignity, never an insult, never an invective. They never blacklisted Pierre Palmade’s life choices. They understood that he is a man with his ups and downs.”
Five years required
This trial highlights the complex issues of road accidents caused under the influence of substances, and the question of the moral and legal responsibility of the perpetrators.
Five years in prison, including two years, were requested on Wednesday by the prosecution against Pierre Palmade.
trial of Pierre Palmade Pierre Palmade justice France
