After the vitriol, can Dominique Strauss Kahn (Le Perv) hope for a fair trial in US?
The story as it was first told raised a multitude of questions. But there was never any doubt in the minds of the New York tabloids. "Le Perv " was what the Daily News called the IMF chief.
It started on the first day with the lurid Page One of the New York Daily News, headlined "Le Perv" before Strauss Kahn had even been charged - and it's not been getting any better.
Any prospective juror can't fail to have an opinion about the case as the New York tabloids pour on the agony. "French Whine" from the New York Post. "Sleazy Money" again from the Post. "No Merci" from the Daily News as the French bigwig is denied bail and is consigned handcuffed to solitary confinement at Rikers prison. No Merci? No mercy? Do you think they want to hang him? "He DID Have sex with the maid," trumpets the Post as Strauss Kahn, very fed-up, is pictured unshaven sitting in court.Strauss Kahn was not handcuffed as he was led from the plane - but the American authorities have made up for it since. Little space has been given to the other side of the story; that this might have just been a set-up as Strauss Kahn had recently speculated. It was suspicious that the first hint came from a political rival before the police made any announcement. In France of course VIPs have long been overprotected and have been able to keep their little secrets just that: secret. But this is the USA! The Land of the Free. No wonder the French have been bowled over by the venom of the publicity. Dominique Strauss-Kahn is charged with attempted rape, a criminal sexual act and unlawful imprisonment charges . He faces 25 years in prison if convicted. The brother of the alleged victim, an African-born Muslim woman, told the Daily News, the powerful French politician would be punished. "This is America - he won't get away with it," he said. "Justice will be served. That's why we love America."