Former TV host Stéphane Plaza was sentenced to eighteen months in prison with probation on Friday, September 18, for domestic violence. This sentence was an increase from his original conviction, which had resulted in one year in prison with probation. The Paris Court of Appeal found Plaza guilty of violence against two former partners, even though he had been acquitted in one of the two cases during the initial trial. The court emphasized that the testimonies of the two complainants were "specific, consistent, and corroborated by the investigations." It noted that there was no evidence in the case file suggesting the women were prone to fabricating stories. The judges also stated that they found "no beginning of proof" that the two women had conspired or plotted revenge against Plaza. Additionally, the court pointed out that Plaza’s own statements had been inconsistent, at times false, and contradictory to the evidence gathered during the investigation. Plaza's legal team announced that they will appeal the decision to the Court of Cassation, France's highest judicial body. They argued that evidence supporting his innocence was ignored, despite the general prosecutor having requested a reduction in both the charges and the sentence. The lawyers criticized the judicial system for its apparent inability to question accusations made in domestic violence cases, suggesting that the decision reflected a failure to properly assess the credibility of the claims against Plaza. The case has drawn attention due to Plaza's high-profile status as a former television personality. The appeal highlights ongoing debates about how domestic violence cases are handled in the legal system, particularly when involving public figures. The outcome of the appeal could have broader implications for how such cases are adjudicated in the future.