A highly anticipated decision in the sport. The Paris Court of Appeal renders its deliberation in the appeal trial between Alain Schmitt and Margaux Pinot, from 1:30 p.m. The judo coach had been released, in immediate appearance, on November 30 for acts of domestic violence on the Olympic champion by the criminal court of Bobigny, in Seine-Saint-Denis. A reminder of the facts and the impact of this affair.
What happened ?
On November 29, 2021, Margaux Pinot, Olympic champion in Tokyo, filed a complaint against her companion and former coach, Alain Schmitt. She was allegedly attacked at her home in Blanc-Mesnil, on the night of Saturday to Sunday. Margaux Pinot alerted the police, after having found refuge with a neighbor. She then filed a complaint and was examined by a doctor in Bondy, who issued her with an ITT (total incapacity for work) of 10 days.
The couple, who did not live together, were on the verge of separating after a tumultuous relationship of several years.
What does Margaux Pinot say?
” I was very afraid. It was violence like I had never experienced. And yet I do a combat sport. “During her hearings with the police, the judokate explained that she was on her bed when her companion, who had gone to her home drunk after a leaving drink, said “nasty things” to her before catching her. by the hair to bring her to the ground, climb on top of her, punch her in the face and bang her head on the ground. Then, in another room, he would have tried to strangle her before she fled and found refuge with neighbours. “If they hadn’t been there, I would have died,” she said.
What does Alain Schmitt answer?
The events occurred whenAlain Schmitt was preparing to leave for Israel, the same day, for a “new life” by taking the lead of the Jewish state’s women’s judo team. “I have never hit a woman in my life,” retorted the coach, who highlighted a fight and reciprocal blows. “In my life, I never put five punches on someone. And if that was the case on Saturday night, she would have died quickly. »
The Israel Judo Federation canceled his proposal and cut ties with him. “Margaux Pinot is lying because she doesn’t want me to leave, and besides, it worked. »
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The judgment of the court of Bobigny, on 1is december
The Bobigny Criminal Court released late in the night from Tuesday November 30 to Wednesday 1is December the judo coach.
“A court is never responsible for saying who is telling the truth, and who is lying,” recalled the president of the Bobigny criminal court, in Seine-Saint-Denis. The three magistrates did not have “enough evidence” to enter the sentencing process, and pronounced the release.
The prosecution appealed.
The world of sport is mobilizing for Margaux Pinot
After the release of Alain Schmitt, many voices were raised to support the French judoka: the female star of French judo Clarisse Agbégnénou said she was “shocked” by the court decision; Teddy Riner asked “What needs to be done to ensure that victims are heard? That the attackers be found guilty? » ; Amandine Buchard wrote “Today it’s sad to say it but as long as there is no death at the end it remains 50/50. What is justice waiting for to crack down… To punish “…
Even the French judo federation declares itself “stunned” by the release. “We did not understand and we were stunned, we took a knockout by the decision”, explained Stéphane Nomis, president of the FFJ. “I don’t understand how anyone can say there is an absence of evidence. I don’t have the whole file, but when you see his condition, I find it hard to understand how someone could say no evidence. For ordinary mortals, the absence of evidence when seeing Margaux’s head is incomprehensible. »
For his part, Alain Schmitt claims to have received a hundred “death threats”. “I can’t go to my apartment alone. I don’t know where my life is going to go. It’s destroying me socially. »
The appeal trial, in April 2022, and the deliberation, on June 10
Alain Schmitt appears before the Paris Court of Appeal for “acts of domestic violence” on his companion, Margaux Pinot. This time again, a one-year suspended prison sentence was requested against him. Both camp on their positions.
Judgment has been reserved until June 10. The court must therefore either confirm the acquittal for lack of evidence, or issue a new court decision.
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