The courtroom drama unfolds as the trial commences for ten suspects accused of robbing reality star Kim Kardashian at gunpoint in Paris in 2016, with a focus on their pasts and motivations.
Trial Begins for Suspects in Kim Kardashian's 2016 Paris Robbery
Trial Begins for Suspects in Kim Kardashian's 2016 Paris Robbery
Ten individuals face charges related to a high-profile armed heist that targeted Kim Kardashian during Paris Fashion Week.
The long-anticipated trial of ten suspects in the armed robbery of Kim Kardashian has officially commenced in Paris. The reality television personality and business mogul was held at gunpoint and bound in her luxury hotel suite during Paris Fashion Week, resulting in the theft of millions in jewels, including a stunning $4 million diamond engagement ring gifted by ex-husband Kanye West.
In an ornate courtroom featuring 19th-century decor, the first defendant to be scrutinized was 71-year-old Yunice Abbas, who has openly confessed to his role in the heist and even authored a memoir titled "I Held Up Kim Kardashian." The court conducted a "enquête de personnalité," which assesses the personal history of defendants to aid jurors in understanding their backgrounds. The jury learned of Abbas's lengthy criminal history encompassing petty crimes and drug-related offenses, alongside his turbulent childhood spent partly in Algeria, marred by personal loss.
Abbas articulated a sense of regret for his actions, indicating that ongoing media coverage of Kardashian’s trauma during his incarceration prompted a shift in his perception of the ramifications of the robbery. "We just grabbed the lady's handbag," he stated, acknowledging the lasting impact of the crime on Kardashian's wellbeing.
Gary Madar, a 35-year-old accused of providing the gang with information about Kardashian’s whereabouts during the heist, is another central figure in the trial. Previously employed in airport customer service, Madar had direct contact with the Kardashians and is alleged to have relayed crucial details to his co-defendants. His lawyer has argued for his innocence, citing a lack of concrete evidence against him.
78-year-old Marc Boyer has been implicated in supplying the weapon used during the robbery, and he expressed regret regarding the negative influences that shaped his son's life choices. Over the following days, other defendants will continue to take the stand as the trial progresses towards the anticipated testimony of Kim Kardashian herself on May 13.
Notably, only ten out of the twelve suspects arrested in 2017 are present for trial, as one has passed away and another, an 81-year-old, will not attend due to advanced dementia. Aomar Ait Khedache—a key figure in the case—will provide written responses during his testimony due to his nearly deaf and mute condition.
The lengthy delay in the trial process, which comes eight and a half years after the robbery, can be attributed to a backlog of cases in Paris courts, primarily due to a focus on terrorism trials in recent years as well as health issues among some defendants, which precluded extended detention.
