Phil in Paris
12-08-2004, 10:02 AM
PARIS (AP) - A man charged with trying to gun down the French president is on trial today.
French judicial officials claim the suspect has admitted trying to assassinate Jacques Chirac during a 2002 parade.
The defense is expected to challenge psychiatric tests that judged him fit enough to stand trial. Prosecutors counter that the defendant carefully planned the attack.
He's accused of pulling a rifle from a guitar case and firing a bullet as Chirac rode by in a convertible.
Bystanders pushed the rifle's barrel into the air as the shot went off.
The man apparently tried killing himself before being apprehended. He allegedly told authorities he wanted to die famous.
A verdict is expected Friday.
Last Update: 12/6/2004 3:03:19 PM
©2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
http://www.wtev.com/news/world/story.aspx?content_id=984A9D61-5309-41FC-A027-A0447004BBBD
French judicial officials claim the suspect has admitted trying to assassinate Jacques Chirac during a 2002 parade.
The defense is expected to challenge psychiatric tests that judged him fit enough to stand trial. Prosecutors counter that the defendant carefully planned the attack.
He's accused of pulling a rifle from a guitar case and firing a bullet as Chirac rode by in a convertible.
Bystanders pushed the rifle's barrel into the air as the shot went off.
The man apparently tried killing himself before being apprehended. He allegedly told authorities he wanted to die famous.
A verdict is expected Friday.
Last Update: 12/6/2004 3:03:19 PM
©2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
http://www.wtev.com/news/world/story.aspx?content_id=984A9D61-5309-41FC-A027-A0447004BBBD