Film star’s death ‘ tragic accident’, says rock singer

ON THE first day of his trial for killing his film star girlfriend, French rock star Bertrand Cantat admitted he tussled with Marie Trintignant in a hotel, but insisted her death was a tragic accident.

"We loved each other and our love was growing," the 40-year-old Cantat told a three judge panel in testimony lasting over an hour at the District Court in Vilnius, Lithuania's capital.

Cantat did not enter a clear not guilty plea to the manslaughter charge, something that is not required in the Baltic state's judicial system. He faces a maximum 15-year jail sentence, with the judges expected to hand down a verdict and sentence this week.