Bertrand Cantat was the lead singer of a French band named "Noir désir" (Black desire). The important part of his biography, quoted from Wikipedia:
I also want to add that both of the parents of his girlfriend Marie Trintignant are well well-known actors and public figures in France, Marie herself was well-known as an actress. The suicide of his ex-wife and mother of his two children was beyond any doubt (the case in very well known in the French speaking world, but I just clarify it here, because for those who read it the first time it might sound suspicious). He is fully responsible for his two children now. Before the assault on Marie, Bertrand Cantat was known for a history of drugs and self-destructive behaviour. He is a very talented musician and Noir Désir was one of the most successful French groups in the 90ies.In 2003, following an argument related to infidelity, Cantat repeatedly assaulted his girlfriend Marie Trintignant in a hotel room in Vilnius, Lithuania. She died several days later in hospital in a deep coma, and a post-mortem examination showed she had suffered multiple head injuries.
At his 2004 trial, prosecutors said he had hit her 19 times, causing irreversible brain damage, whereas Cantat admitted hitting Trintignant four times, but told the court her death was a tragic accident. He was said to have flown into a jealous rage after she received an affectionate text message from her former husband. The death of Marie caused considerable emotion in France. Nadine Trintignant, Marie's mother, actively sought a heavy sentence; Cantat's friends claimed he had been out of his mind and had not intended to cause harm.
On 29 March 2004, Cantat was sentenced by Vilnius Regional Court under Article 129 of the Lithuanian Criminal Code to 8 years in prison for murder committed with indirect intent (dolus eventualis), i.e. it was acknowledged by the court that he didn't want to kill the victim, but foresaw her death as a probable consequence of his acts and was indifferent with regard to such a consequence. The verdict was at first appealed by Marie's family (who wanted to toughen the sentence), then by Bertrand Cantat (who wanted the higher court to reclassify his crime as a manslaughter and lessen his sentence), but both parties ultimately decided to cancel their appeals, which rendered the first 8 years judgment final. While in Lukiškės prison of Vilnius, Cantat performed on 11 August 2004 a concert for prison's inmates and administration.
At the request of his lawyers, Cantat was moved from a Lithuanian prison to a prison near Muret, France on 28 September 2004.
Cantat was released on parole on 16 October 2007, after serving half of his sentence. His early release aroused the anger of feminist campaigners and the victim’s mother, who had failed to persuade President Sarkozy and judges to block the early release.
His house in Landes was burned down on 11 September 2003.
Ex-wife Krisztina Rády committed suicide on 10 January 2010, while he was sleeping in the same house
Ever since he has been released, Bertrand Cantat has encountered great problems whereever he wanted to perform again. His group eventually seperated in the end as because of him, performances had to be cancelled because of protests. Recently he had been scheduled to play in a theater festival in Avignon and the father of Marie immediately ask for cancellation of the performance, otherwise he would cancel his apparition - Bertrand Cantat withdraw himself after that request. Now, he was supposed to play in Geneva and again there have been protests from feminist organisations and the Trintignant family (who partliy lives in Geneva, like many French actors), it is likely that his concert again will be cancelled. The same has happend in Montréal, Canada.
Bertrand Cantant will not perform in Montréal
A public debate has arisen around his case: Cantat has been convicted and condemned, he has done his sentence, he has been legally released and he is trying to do his job - he is a singer, he was successful very young, so he has not any other job which he has learned. Should he not reintegrate society? Does he not have the right like other ex-convicts to find a job? When is the crime paid? On the other hand, can someone after such a crime ever work in public again? Can he ever be forgiven?