Trial

Honourable members of the jury, in a trial such as this there shouldn't be made a single mistake and I will therefore simply tell you facts. Facts for which there are many witnesses and by merely presenting you with a detailed outline of what really happened, you will all be convinced that my client, Lieven Lippenbeer, should rather be greatly honoured than be accused.
Greatly honoured I say, because my client has done many good deeds. He made a wonderful, reputable city of Kortrijk. The merchants, despite the economic crisis, has never had so much profit. The range of entertainment has never been so great. Day after day he did his utmost for the welfare of the city and the population.   But the growing family problems were unfortunately due to this enormous dedication. These family problems led to an alcoholism. And like many others, ordinary citizen or celebrities, he sought refuge in alcohol. When my client murdered his wife, he was under the influence of alcohol. It wasn’t a premeditated murder, but only an impulsive, stupid action. After drinking a few beers, he and his wife had a quarrel about drinking. When his wife called him an silly habitual drunkard, in a fit of insanity my client hit his wife in the face. She fell back against the corner of a cupboard. My client couldn’t help her, because she died instantly. He didn’t know what to do and drove away from home. How fair is it, honourable members of the jury, to prosecute this popular man for a single hit?