The Return of Martin Guerre

In this chapter, Davis describes the challenges of the court case against the new Martin. Many cases from Artigat had ended up at the court at Rieux, but none were as difficult as this one: “Together with the king’s attorney at Rieux and lawyers in the court, the judge faced one of the most puzzling cases of his career” (62).

The process to try the case was lengthy, but typical. First, the witnesses, “named by the civil party” (63) and identified by Bertrande and Pierre, gave depositions. Then, the king’s attorney examined the testimony and offered an opinion, after which the judge opened the hearings and listened to the new Martin’s explanations. Next, the judge heard Bertrande and then gave the new Martin another hearing to compare his version of the events with his wife’s version. After these processes, the witnesses were given another opportunity to speak of their experiences with the accused. Finally, after the deposition of the witnesses was read aloud, the new Martin offered more explanations and alibis.

Though the process was meant to go according to process, the case of the new Martin’s identity was much more complicated than anyone expected. Neither the new Martin’s guilt nor his innocence was obvious to the judge after his testimony and the testimony of the witnesses.