Today marks a significant milestone in legal history as the notorious “Grandpa Robbers” gang faces judgment for their audacious theft of $10 million worth of jewelry from Kim Kardashian during a horrifying incident in Paris back in 2016. The verdicts for the ten defendants were delivered this Friday, drawing attention to the high-profile case that has captivated the public.

In a dramatic turn of events, eight individuals were found guilty while two were acquitted. The alleged mastermind behind this elaborate heist, Aomar “Old Omar” Ait Kedache, aged 69, received an 8-year prison sentence, with five years suspended. Three other accomplices also received sentences of seven years, with similar suspensions. Interestingly, due to time served in pretrial detention, none of the convicted individuals will actually serve time in prison, as reported by The Associated Press.

In a shocking attack, two men disguised in police uniforms and wearing masks ambushed a concierge outside Kim’s luxurious Hôtel de Pourtalès residence. They forcefully broke into her room, restraining her with zip ties and tape, leaving her in the bathroom as they fled with her precious jewelry, including a stunning $4 million diamond engagement ring from her then-husband, Kanye West.

The extensive trial included nine men and one woman, all implicated in the planning and execution of this daring heist that took place during Paris Fashion Week in October 2016. Four of the accused faced potential sentences of ten years in prison, while five others and a woman accused of being an accessory faced sentences ranging from six to eight years. The suspects were apprehended approximately three months after the audacious theft.

The chief judge took into account the ages of the defendants and the time already served when determining the sentences. A panel of three judges and six jurors deliberated on the case, requiring a total of seven combined votes to reach each verdict. The announcements of the verdicts were made shortly after 2 PM Paris time, marking a moment of anticipation and tension.

One of the suspects in this notorious theft, who authored a book loosely titled “I Kidnapped Kim Kardashian”, reportedly fled the scene on a bicycle but faced a mishap due to a flat tire, causing him to drop jewels onto the street. As he hurried to gather the valuables, he escaped, but hours later, a woman on her way to work discovered a $24,000 diamond necklace on the pavement. Initially unaware of its significance, she wore it until learning about the heist and subsequently handed it over to the police.

Fast forward to nine years later, the necklace mentioned earlier remains the only stolen item from the heist that has been successfully recovered, highlighting the challenges faced by law enforcement in dealing with high-profile thefts.

The majority of the defendants are in their 60s and 70s, many of whom have extensive criminal backgrounds and have spent years incarcerated. Although arrests were made months after the Paris heist, it has taken nearly a decade for this high-profile case to finally reach the courtroom, drawing attention to the complexities of the legal system.

In a dramatic moment during the trial, the alleged 69-year-old mastermind, “Old Omar”, who is both deaf and mute, communicated with the court using written notes. In a poignant gesture, he apologized to Kim Kardashian and requested her forgiveness just hours before the verdict was announced. Kim, during her testimony last week, expressed her ability to forgive, stating, “but it doesn’t change the emotional turmoil and trauma that forever altered my life,” revealing the deep impact of the incident on her well-being.

During the trial, Kim Kardashian took the stand and recounted the terrifying experience, stating that at one point, she “absolutely thought she was going to die,” fearing she might be assaulted. She vividly described the harrowing moment when the robbers entered her suite at around 3 AM, while she was only wearing a bathrobe, highlighting the vulnerability she felt during that traumatic ordeal.

In a chilling account, she recounted, “He grabs my legs and pulls me. I’m naked, and everything is exposed,” expressing her terrifying belief that she was about to be assaulted. However, the robbers ultimately left with her valuables instead of inflicting physical harm.