The celebrity murder case that divided France

Witness History

In 2003, the French rock star Bertrand Cantat murdered his actress girlfriend, Marie Trintignant.

The attack happened in Lithuania where Marie had been shooting a film.

Cantat was sentenced to eight years, but was released after just four and returned to music.

Journalist Michelle Fines tells Vicky Farncombe how the case divided opinion in France with some calling it a brutal murder, others a crime of passion.

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(Photo: Marie Trintignant. Credit: Getty Images)