Cantat on trial Tuesday for Trintignant murder

VILNIUS, March 15 (AFP) – French pop singer Bertrand Cantat was set to go on trial in the Lithuanian capital Tuesday charged with murdering his girlfriend, movie star Marie Trintignant, who died following a quarrel in a hotel here.

Cantat, 40 year-old lead singer of the group Noir Desir, is accused of causing the death of Trintignant by beating her during the hotel room row last July.

Trintignant, daughter of veteran French movie star Jean-Louis Trintignant, had just completed shooting a television film in Lithuania.

The 41-year-old actress died in Paris on August 1 of swelling to the brain, nearly a week after the row.

The singer, who claimed Trintignant fell and hit her head during the argument, was taken into custody immediately after.

Remanded in custody in Vilnius since being charged, he could face a maximum penalty of 15 years if found guilty.

According to reports, the hearings might be held behind closed doors because of publicity surrounding the case.

“We are concerned about revelations about the private lives of Bertrand Cantat and especially Marie Trintignant, who cannot defend herself,” said prosecutor Ramutis Jancevicius: “So we will almost certainly request a closed-door hearing.”

A final decision rests with the court after hearing the views of members of the families of both Trintignant and Cantat.

Subject: France news