John Galliano to skip court hearing
2011-09-06 12:57
Los Angeles - John Galliano will not attend court on Thursday to hear the verdict in his trial for alleged anti-Semetic remarks.
The former Dior designer - who blamed his verbal assault on a couple in a Paris cafe in February on his excessive drinking and use of prescription medications - has decided not to be present in the courtroom on Thursday, despite previously taking time out from rehab to attend.
Wall Street Journal journalist Christina Passariello tweeted: "John #Galliano verdict to be handed down Sept 8, but the former #Dior designer won't be in the courtroom, his lawyer says (sic)".
Altered state
John was dropped from Dior and his eponymous label John Galliano after the incident - which also saw him verbally abusing a woman, which appeared on video - and immediately checked himself into rehab for an addiction to alcohol, sleeping tablets and valium
Aurelian Hamelle said: "One obvious thing is that John Galliano was ill. He had a triple addiction to alcohol, benzodiazepine (valium) and sleeping pills."
The lawyer said Galliano was mortified to see how he acted in the video and denies being anti-Semetic.
He added: "He does not remember because he was in an altered state.
"The comments do not reflect what he thinks. He's not anti-Semitic or racist."