A man who blinded his wife in a failed murder and suicide attempt won a suspended five-year sentence today after his spouse publicly forgave him and begged the court to acquit him.
Mr Jean-Claude and Ms Chantal Godrie hugged and sobbed in relief after the jury, clearly impressed by her devotion to her husband of 37 years, announced it would convict him for attempted murder but waive the sentence. He could have received life in jail.
Mr Jean-Claude Godrie (57), an architect, decided to commit suicide two years ago because of mounting debts but kill his wife beforehand so she would not have to bear the financial burden without him. But after he shot his sleeping wife in the head, their son burst into the room and stopped him from trying to kill himself.
Chantal survived but lost her sight. Jean-Claude confessed to shooting her with a hunting rifle but said he wanted to end an unbearable situation rather than kill her.
"I know he did not want to murder me, he was desperate," she told the court.
The two devout Catholics had to live apart since the shooting and were only allowed to see each other at weekends.