Word: mongibeaux
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Dates: during 1945-1945
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...jury demanded to hear testimony from Pierre Laval. Both prosecution and defense objected. Presiding Judge Pierre Mongibeaux decided: "Nobody will understand if we do not hear Laval now. . . . I would like to see the Marshal, who was only a piece of bric-a-brac in Laval's hands, brought face to face with his 'evil genius...
Before him ranged the red-robed High Court of Justice, a three-man tribunal headed by stern Pierre Mongibeaux, 65, (in 1941 he had sworn loyalty to Pétain's Vichy Government). The public prosecutor was André Mornet, 75 (in World War I he sent Spy Mata Hari to the firing squad). The 24-man jury had been chosen half from the Resistance movement, half from non-collaborationist ex-parliamentarians. Behind the prisoner sat his counsel, his doctors and nurses, the witnesses (there would be about 50), the tightly packed reporters and spectators...
...such blameworthy things. . . . A warrior of France . . . risen so high to have fallen so low!" (A juryman demanded that the Marshal answer a question-"His honor is at stake!" Quavered the prisoner: "I heard nothing. I don't even know what's going on." Snapped Judge Mongibeaux: "I know perfectly well he hears...