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TRIAL – Time for justice, 21 months after the crash. Pierre Palmade is on trial this Wednesday, November 20 for the serious road accident he caused in Seine-et-Marne while under the influence of drugs. The collision left three people from the same family seriously injured: a 38-year-old man, his 6-year-old son and his 27-year-old sister-in-law, who lost the baby she was expecting in the accident. Arriving at the Melun court at 8 a.m., the actor, wearing a black jacket and white shirt, was very discreet by passing through a door located at the rear of the building, according to the journalists present on site.
The hearing opened thirty minutes late, in the presence of a Turkish and Kurdish interpreter to accompany the speeches of the civil parties. From the start of the trial, the lawyer for the civil parties contested the fact that Pierre Palmade was dismissed for “unintentional injuries” and not for “involuntary homicide”, despite the death of the victim’s baby, which is not considered to be a person because he died before he was born.
Master Mourad Battikh regretted that “French law protects animals better than unborn children”. “You run over a 3-month-old puppy in your parking lot, you must answer criminally for this. It’s absolutely mind-boggling.”he denounced.
At the end of the lawyer’s intervention against what he calls a ” absurdity », Pierre Palmade is asked if he agrees to appear voluntarily for manslaughter. “No… no,” replied the defendant.
« I would like to ask you for forgiveness »
It was only at the beginning of the afternoon that Pierre Palmade spoke for the first time, addressing the victims: “I would like to apologize to them. » Turning to them, he insisted: “I would like to ask you for forgiveness deep within me, sincerely”.
Saying “ terrace », « proven »to stand in front of the victims « in real », Pierre Palmade said to live « a painful moment.” “The serious injuries of [Yuksel] and the trauma of [Mila] put me on the ground”he added.
To try to justify his driving under drugs, the comedian tried to describe the extent of his drug consumption, the fact that he is “ very difficult to rationalize someone who has been on drugs for three days”when the “addiction disease” East “much stronger” what “the will”. However, he specifies that he “does not to defend against nothing.” “I’m trying to explain.”he assures.
Sober for 17 months
Asked about the question of appearing free for “manslaughter”Pierre Palmade says he is overwhelmed by the subject. “I think it’s a legal issue. I will always have this baby on my conscience. Because for me, he’s a baby”he said, specifying “put away” behind his lawyer.
Today, the actor claims to have been abstinent for 17 months. He also recalls the success of his treatment and claims to no longer have “this desire to die” who pursued him after his discovery of the drug 3-MMC.
On February 10, 2023 at the end of the day, Pierre Palmade took the wheel to go shopping, after several days of partying and unbridled drug consumption. “We are really like zombies, vegetables, naked, bloody”he describes to the judges. With a large quantity of cocaine and 3M™ (a synthetic drug) in his blood, he got behind the wheel with two companions. « bringue »who were not prosecuted. On a road in the south of the department, his car collided with a vehicle coming in front. “I see all three of us leaving the house euphoric and then it’s dark, I open my eyes and I’m (at the) Kremlin-Bicêtre hospital”said Pierre Palmade, who said he had no memory of the accident.
“I don’t think I’ll ever drive again in my life.” Even as a passenger, I am traumatized,” he adds.
Pierre Palmade is a repeat offender due to a conviction in 2019 for drug use. He thus faces a sentence of fourteen years’ imprisonment and a fine of 200,000 euros.
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Questions for the first section (Trial):
1. Can you please tell us about the trial of Pierre Palmade and the allegations against him?
2. How are the victims coping with the ordeal?
3. What was the lawyer’s argument against the dismissal of the “involuntary homicide” charges? Why does he believe the current laws are insufficient?
4. How did Pierre Palmade respond to the charges against him? Did he express any remorse or regret?
5. What was his justification for driving under the influence of drugs?
6. Could you provide more details on his drug consumption habits and addiction history?
Questions for the second section (Drug Use and Trauma):
1. How has the accident affected Pierre Palmade on a personal level, both emotionally and physically?
2. Has his previous drug use impacted his chances of being released on bail or receiving a lighter sentence?
3. How has his life changed since the accident, including his relationship with his family and friends?
4. What kind of support systems does he have in place to help him overcome addiction and cope with trauma?
5. There has been a lot of media attention surrounding this case – do you think this has added pressure to Pierre Palmade or the victims?
6. Do you think France’s laws on drug use and impaired driving need to be more strict or better enforced?
