The examining magistrate did not accept the prosecutor’s request for prosecution for ‘manslaughter’. The victims expressed their regret at this decision

Pierre Palmade will be tried by a criminal court, announced the public prosecutor in Melun (Seine-et-Marne) on Monday 27 May. The comedian is accused of causing ‘involuntary injuries’ in a serious road accident that occurred on 10 February 2023 in Villiers-en-Bière (Seine-et-Marne), while he was under the influence of drugs.

The accident caused serious injuries to three people: a 38-year-old man, his 6-year-old son, and his 27-year-old sister-in-law, who lost her unborn child in the collision. An accident expert concluded that Palmade was solely responsible for the accident.

The examining magistrate did not accept all the prosecution’s demands, which also wanted to prosecute Palmade for ‘involuntary manslaughter’ for the loss of the baby. However, a panel of experts concluded that the child had died before birth.

The victims expressed their regret at the decision, with their lawyer, Mourad Battikh, stating that it reflected neither the evidence in the case nor the fundamental principles of decency and humanity. By arguing for prosecution on the grounds of ‘manslaughter’, the civil parties and the public prosecutor were hoping to change the law in a more humane way. During his initial questioning, Pierre Palmade said he was ‘devastated’ by the consequences of the accident for the victims.

Pierre Palmade is a repeat offender, having already been convicted of a drug offence. Because of this repeat offence, he faces a heavier sentence. According to the public prosecutor in Melun, the penalty for aggravated involuntary injury is normally seven years‘ imprisonment, but because of the repeat offence, it could rise to 14 years’ imprisonment and a fine of €200,000.