http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=573&ncid=757&e=2&u=/nm/20041201/od_nm/crime_france_pardon_dc{
DOUAI, France (Reuters) - A man who blinded his wife in a failed murder and suicide attempt won a suspended five-year sentence on Tuesday after his spouse publicly forgave him and begged the court to acquit him.
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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.
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