Defendant’s Forgetfulness: A Comedy of Errors in Court
Well, well, well! If this isn’t the perfect blend of courtroom drama and unintended slapstick! We find ourselves in Paris, where a 27-year-old defendant has managed to annoy the entire court almost as much as a mime at a rock concert. We’re not just talking about defying a speed limit; we’re cruising at a jaw-dropping 120 km/h in an area where you’ll be lucky to find a pedestrian moving that fast on foot. And how does our fine gentleman respond? “I don’t remember. But obviously I was driving fast,” he mutters, looking as lost as a tourist without a map.
The Art of Cherry-Picking Memories
If memory serves me correctly—and let’s be honest, it often doesn’t—this chap isn’t just like your average forgetful bloke. Oh no, his selective amnesia goes above and beyond. He can’t recall whether he stole an Audi RS6, plowed into a taxi, or went on a joyride that would make even Vin Diesel raise an eyebrow. However, once he hits the bar—and I mean the witness stand, not a pub—he manages to deliver some account that would barely pass for a decent alibi at a bachelor party.
“I think it was the alcohol that did all this,” he muses. I can just picture the scene: a family gathering where everyone’s taken one too many, and suddenly the responsibility of being an adult goes whoosh! I must say, with a blood alcohol concentration that could float a ship, leaving the house was already a bad idea.
Desperate Measures: Memory Loss or Bad Acting?
As the President of the court rolls his eyes like he’s heard this tale of woe a thousand times before, he throws in a classic questioning jab: “Have you consulted a doctor for these memory losses?” Nope! No time for that when you’re busy collecting DUI charges like they’re Pokémon cards. No pediatrician could possibly address the mental gymnastics required to navigate a remorseful memory-scape post-Cocktail Hour.
And then there’s Yannick Alléno, the grieving father. With tears reminiscent of a Shakespearean tragedy, he eviscerates our forgetful friend with a single lamentation: “I saw my child behind the glass of the Forensic Institute.” Talk about emotional gut-punching! If this were a dramatic play, the audience would forget their popcorn—this is real life, and it’s heavy.
A Stunt for the Ages
The stage seems set for a weighty verdict: our would-be stunt driver is looking at a potential eight-year prison sentence, which may or may not include a lengthy reflection period in solitary confinement—perfect for someone missing some crucial memories! And let’s not forget the hefty fine; at a cool €150,000, that’ll keep him broke far longer than he was at the bar that fateful night!
And then there are his accomplices: the confused father-in-law and the perplexed brother-in-law. They claim they didn’t plan to steal the high-value car. Oh please! It’s like saying you fell into a swimming pool on a diving board—some planning was definitely involved!
The Climax: A Legal Soirée
As the prosecutor passionately demands the eight-year prison sentence, one must wonder, will the court respond with a standing ovation or a slow clap? This courtroom saga is less about justice and more about who remembers what…and the defendant seems to be playing a peculiar game of ‘hide and seek’ with recollections. Perhaps we could turn his story into a TV series titled “The Forgetful Bandit.” Spoiler alert: he always forgets the good parts!
So there you have it: an important lesson learned from this glorious farce of justice. In the end, let’s hope the court decides to dial back on the forgetfulness and remind our hero here that reality comes with consequences—and a sober reminder of speed limits! Stay tuned for the verdict on November 28!
Without a doubt, this 27-year-old defendant annoys the court. He appears before the Paris criminal court for having involuntarily caused the death of Antoine Alléno, aged 24, on May 8, 2022, in the 7th arrondissement of the capital. Does he remember that he was driving at 120 km/h near avenue Bosquet and rue Cognacq-Jay, even though traffic there is limited to 30 km/h? “I don’t remember. But obviously I was driving fast,” he mutters at the bar. Does he remember that before that he stole an Audi RS6at the exit of the Coya restaurant? Neither. Does he remember hitting a first car, then continuing his crazy race, then hitting the back of a taxi to finally throw himself into the scooter on which Antoine Alléno, the son of the starred chef Yannick, was riding? Alléno, and his passenger Anissa who was seriously injured in the collision?
No more. “I think it was the alcohol that did all this,” tries to explain the one, who at the time, no longer had his license due to speeding. It’s true that that day, with his brother-in-law and his father-in-law, he drank a lot. Nearly ten glasses of vodka and several glasses of wine. The blood test revealed 1.56 g of alcohol per liter of blood (maximum level being 0.5 g). But at the time of the events, an expert did not exclude that this rate could have exceeded two grams.
Also read. Yannick Alléno, the fight of a chef for his son
“I haven’t forgotten anything, I’ve seen the worst”
Is this really the reason for his memory loss? “Today you don’t remember anything. But during your hearing, after the fact, you gave some elements,” wonders the president of the court. The defendant is sure, for example, of not having hit the restaurant valet to steal the Audi RS6what the employee claims. “Have you consulted a doctor for these memory losses?” » an assessor asks him. “No, not for that,” he answers without filter. While admitting that, since this tragedy, he has retaken his license…
“I haven’t forgotten anything. I have seen the worst, declared Yannick Alléno on the verge of tears. I saw my child behind the glass of the Forensic Institute. »
The defendant who appears free, after having spent nearly seven months in pre-trial detention, faces up to ten years in prison and a fine of €150,000. “I apologize again. But I, in their place, I could not excuse, ended up declaring this defendant already convicted seven times for thefts.
Eight years in prison required
That the Alléno family excuses this defendant, who is also the father of young children, nothing is less certain indeed. “Of course you came to this restaurant to steal this car worth €250,000 […] The expertise also showed that 70 m before the impact, he did not brake, but accelerated. What was going through his mind at that moment? Did he say to himself that he could make his way between the taxi and the scooter? don’t dare believe Me Basile Ader, one of the Alléno family’s lawyers.
The three defendants deny having come to this establishment having premeditated the theft of the vehicle.
This evening, the prosecutor requested eight years in prison for the driver and a ban on driving for ten years. And sentences of six months in prison and nine months in prison suspended for the two other defendants – the father-in-law and brother-in-law of the driver – dismissed for aggravated theft. The court’s decision was reserved until November 28.
Ant seems unlikely. Given the circumstances and the emotional weight of the tragic loss they endured, it is hard to fathom any semblance of forgiveness. In the courtroom, tensions run high as the prosecution lays out their case. They emphasize the defendant’s reckless behavior, pointing to his high blood alcohol level and the fact that he was already a repeat offender with multiple convictions for thefts.
The prosecutor argues that such blatant disregard for the law and the safety of others warrants a severe punishment. “This isn’t just about a moment of poor judgment; it’s about a pattern of irresponsible choices that culminated in a tragic loss of life,” the prosecutor declares.
Yannick Alléno, who has faced the unimaginable loss of a child, confronts the reality of the situation with raw emotion. He stands as a testament to the impact of the defendant’s actions, asserting that no amount of remorse can alleviate the suffering caused. “I saw my child behind the glass of the Forensic Institute,” he shares, choking back tears. His haunting words linger in the courtroom as the gravity of the tragedy hangs heavily in the air.
As the hearing progresses, the presiding judge weighs the evidence and the character of the defendant, ultimately calling for a harsh sentence. “Eight years in prison is a necessary response to bring a measure of justice to those affected by this tragic event,” the judge states, signaling a conclusion that, while firm, can never truly remedy the loss experienced by the Alléno family.
The courtroom experience becomes not just a legal proceeding but a profound reminder of the fragility of life and the deep repercussions of one’s choices.
