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French farmer's trial for killing of suspected truffle thief begins French farmer goes on trial for killing suspected truffle thief
(about 2 hours later)
A French farmer has gone on trial for shooting dead a man he thought was stealing his truffles.A French farmer has gone on trial for shooting dead a man he thought was stealing his truffles.
Laurent Rambaud, 37, had grown increasingly frustrated with a spate of thefts in the south-eastern region of Drome and, on the night of 20 December2010 went into his fields armed with a shotgun. Laurent Rambaud, 37, had grown increasingly frustrated with a spate of thefts in the south-eastern region of Drôme and, on the night of 20 December 2010, went into his fields armed with a shotgun.
He came across 43-year-old Ernest Pardo, who was known as a truffle hunter and had previous indictments for theft, who was walking with his dog. He came across 43-year-old Ernest Pardo, known as a truffle hunter and with previous indictments for theft, who was walking with his dog.
Taking him for a thief and believing him to be armed, Rambaud fired two shots, killing Pardo almost immediately.Taking him for a thief and believing him to be armed, Rambaud fired two shots, killing Pardo almost immediately.
The charge against Rambaud has been reduced from murder to manslaughter after the court decided the killing was not premeditated, but the 37-year-old still faces 30 years in prison if convicted on Friday.The charge against Rambaud has been reduced from murder to manslaughter after the court decided the killing was not premeditated, but the 37-year-old still faces 30 years in prison if convicted on Friday.
Rambaud, who was president of the young farmers association in the region and a volunteer fireman, had repeatedly complained about thefts. Rambaud, who was president of the young farmers’ association in the region and a volunteer fireman, had repeatedly complained about thefts.
Truffles are a delicacy in France, known as “black diamonds” and worth about €1,000 ($1,100) per kilo during the holiday season. Known as “black diamonds”, truffles are a delicacy in France and worth about €1,000 (£707) per kilo during the holiday season.
“This is a man who felt in danger that night. He was scared,” said his lawyer Alain Fort in opening remarks, who said local farmers had been confronted by armed thieves. “This is a man who felt in danger that night. He was scared,” said his lawyer Alain Fort in opening remarks, adding that local farmers had been confronted by armed thieves.
The trial continues, with judges due to give their verdict on Friday.The trial continues, with judges due to give their verdict on Friday.