FROM OVERHEAD IN a helicopter, the west end of the Ile de la Cite, the tail of the dolphin-shaped island, looked like occupied territory. The bridges on that end----the Pont Neuf, Pont Saint-Michel, and Pont au Change----were closed, blocked by armored vehicles. Civilians were not permitted in the quarantined zone. French commandos patrolled the streets. To the east, the army had closed all streets within a block of the Palais de Justice except one, the Quai de la Corse, where a checkpoint was set up; all unauthorized vehicles were turned away.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8Sc1DuR1n
The effects of the rioting were visible from the air: streetlamps had been pulled down; portions of the roads still bore the torch marks from Molotov cocktails; collateral damage to some of the nearby restaurants and cafes and shops was evident from boarded-up windows or plastic sheets. Authorities had estimated the damage to the Ile would reach the millions of euros.
"All because of us," Mischa mumbled, as the chopper swooped into its descent.
The French had considered moving the whole trial to a military installation but ultimately decided against it, presumably because it would be symbolic of defeat. Still, the four defendants were now spending their evenings under military detention. French troops would occupy the perimeter of the Palais de Justice. The only members of the public who could enter the quarantined zone were the media, and only after showing their credentials and being escorted through the checkpoint in armored vehicles.
The chopper landed, under heavy guard, in the courtyard of the palace complex only steps away from the building that housed France's highest court. It was a full-scale military exercise just to get Mischa out of the copter, involving soldiers in formation, shouting to each other and forming a protective cover around her as she was whisked into the courtroom building.
The four actresses shared one moment together in the anteroom, the four of them. Lindsay and Nicole Richie looked at Mischa with tears in their eyes. This was their last chance.
"You can't do this to us," Lindsay said. "Please don't."366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcFsqSuZdi
And then the guards beckoned them and they filed into the courtroom.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmnmuGu1ik
Today, they would hear the testimony of Mischa Barton.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigUdHCka7D
