As interest mounts, key defendants begin to testify, shedding light on their roles in the infamous heist.
**Trial Begins for Kim Kardashian Robbery Suspects in Paris**
**Trial Begins for Kim Kardashian Robbery Suspects in Paris**
The high-profile legal proceedings surrounding the 2016 Paris robbery of Kim Kardashian kick off, with ten accused in the dock.
The trial for the gang accused of robbing Kim Kardashian at gunpoint in 2016 has commenced in a Paris courtroom, drawing intense media coverage. Kardashian, the reality television star, was robbed of millions in jewels, which included a $4 million diamond engagement ring from her then-husband Kanye West while in a luxury hotel suite during Paris Fashion Week.
The court proceedings opened with a detailed personality report, known in French law as "enquête de personnalité," focusing on the first accused, 71-year-old Yunice Abbas. This process is meant to provide insight into the defendants' backgrounds to assist jurors in their verdicts. Abbas has a long history of criminal activities, ranging from minor offenses to more serious crimes like bank robbery, and has spent over 30 years in prison. He has admitted to taking part in the robbery and even published a memoir titled "I Held Up Kim Kardashian," a detail that court president David Du Pas suggested indicates Abbas's pride in his actions—a claim the defendant refutes.
In an unexpected reflection of remorse, Abbas expressed regret for the trauma suffered by Kardashian, stating that seeing the coverage of the event in prison prompted a change in perspective. “I never felt sympathy before, but I now regret my actions,” he remarked.
Another key figure, Gary Madar, has been accused of leaking information about Kardashian’s whereabouts to the robbers. Madar, who had previously worked for a transport service that catered to the Kardashian family, claims innocence, while his attorney insists there is a lack of concrete evidence against him.
The court also addressed Marc Boyer, 78, alleged to have supplied the weapon used in the robbery, who expressed sorrow over the criminal path taken by his son, a fellow defendant.
As the trial progresses towards Kim Kardashian's anticipated testimony on May 13, the courtroom is expected to be filled with media, raising logistical concerns for court personnel regarding space and accommodations for reporters. Out of the twelve originally charged, only ten are facing trial, due to the recent death of one defendant and another’s advanced dementia.
This lengthy legal process comes eight and a half years post-heist, attributed to a backlog in the courts as well as the age and health of the defendants, according to Patricia Tourancheau, a crime journalist and author specializing in the case.
The court proceedings opened with a detailed personality report, known in French law as "enquête de personnalité," focusing on the first accused, 71-year-old Yunice Abbas. This process is meant to provide insight into the defendants' backgrounds to assist jurors in their verdicts. Abbas has a long history of criminal activities, ranging from minor offenses to more serious crimes like bank robbery, and has spent over 30 years in prison. He has admitted to taking part in the robbery and even published a memoir titled "I Held Up Kim Kardashian," a detail that court president David Du Pas suggested indicates Abbas's pride in his actions—a claim the defendant refutes.
In an unexpected reflection of remorse, Abbas expressed regret for the trauma suffered by Kardashian, stating that seeing the coverage of the event in prison prompted a change in perspective. “I never felt sympathy before, but I now regret my actions,” he remarked.
Another key figure, Gary Madar, has been accused of leaking information about Kardashian’s whereabouts to the robbers. Madar, who had previously worked for a transport service that catered to the Kardashian family, claims innocence, while his attorney insists there is a lack of concrete evidence against him.
The court also addressed Marc Boyer, 78, alleged to have supplied the weapon used in the robbery, who expressed sorrow over the criminal path taken by his son, a fellow defendant.
As the trial progresses towards Kim Kardashian's anticipated testimony on May 13, the courtroom is expected to be filled with media, raising logistical concerns for court personnel regarding space and accommodations for reporters. Out of the twelve originally charged, only ten are facing trial, due to the recent death of one defendant and another’s advanced dementia.
This lengthy legal process comes eight and a half years post-heist, attributed to a backlog in the courts as well as the age and health of the defendants, according to Patricia Tourancheau, a crime journalist and author specializing in the case.
