FRANCE FILE: John Galliano will have a chance to clear his name in court, French lawyer says

Record ID: 721377

  • Title: FRANCE FILE: John Galliano will have a chance to clear his name in court, French lawyer says
  • Date: 3rd March 2011
  • Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (MARCH 2, 2011) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (French) DESIGNER JOHN GALLIANO'S LAWYER, STEPHANE ZERBIB SAYING: "These accusations that are flourishing, there are a lot of them. Mr Galliano is a designer, an artist who is known around the world. So you know it's extremely easy to tarnish someone's reputation." ZERBIB LEAVING
  • Embargoed: 18th March 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA32KMRKUBS9B9DEPSARJ1K1DT3
  • Story Text: John Galliano who is currently battling his demons with alcohol, will get a chance to clear his name in court over accusations he made racial slurs against a couple in a Paris bar, his French lawyer said on Wednesday (March 2), shortly after the disgraced star designer was formally committed to stand trial.
    Lawyer Stephane Zerbib said Galliano was not anti-Semitic and would make that point at his trial, which is expected in the second quarter of this year.
    "It demonstrates that in this business there are some gray areas, things that are not as clear as one might present them, as simple as people would want us to believe. That means that the judiciary feels that this matter be approached in a calm and serene manner in front of a court," he told Reuters Television.
    Galliano, who was sacked this week by Dior over the affair, earlier issued a written statement denying the claims made against him, adding that he was harassed and assaulted during the incident in a Paris bar near his home late last week.
    The designer also apologised for his behaviour, saying he was seeking help.
    Zerbib said his client was very tired. "He's going to fight his demons with alcohol as many have done. As many have done with drugs -- which isn't Mr Galliano's case -- he does it with alcohol. Because when you are vulnerable, people can make you say anything and everything. You're at the mercy of any manipulation, you don't know what you're doing any more."
    He said Galliano was a target because he was famous.
    "Mr Galliano is a designer, an artist who is known around the world. So you know it's extremely easy to tarnish someone's reputation."
    Dior's fashion show, displaying clothes designed by Galliano, is due to be held in Paris on Friday. Galliano will not be taking the bow at the end.
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