On September 20, 2002, Jean-Claude Godrie, a 57-year-old French architect, attempted to murder his wife, Chantal, amid a severe financial crisis.
He shot her with a hunting rifle while she was sleeping. Their son intervened before the man could take his own life as well.
Chantal survived, but lost her sight. Despite this, she decided to defend the man she had been married to for 37 years.
“I know he didn’t want to kill me; he was desperate”, she told the court.
His lawyer went even further: “Are we sure that by sentencing Jean-Claude we wouldn’t punish Chantal at least as much?”.
But the prosecutor rejected that justification: “By what right can anyone claim the power to decide over the life or death of others?”.
During the 2004 trial, the defense emphasized the love that still united the couple.
“Love is more beautiful than crime”, Jean-Claude’s lawyer argued.
In the end, the man was found guilty of attempted murder, but received a suspended five-year prison sentence, with judicial supervision.
Chantal had forgiven him. Justice convicted him, but allowed him to leave the courtroom a free man.
Upon hearing the sentence, the two embraced in tears.