The film is based on real events be tween the years 1978-1980. Theo Grangier, a man without education, with no parents nor family, is involved in the robbery along with two recidivists. But the policeman is killed during a robbery. But Theo is the only one who is arrested and charged with murdering an officer of laws, even though the other two perpetrators are not found and Theo is not conclusively proved to be a murderer. He is later sentenced to death. The trial galvanizes the French society - Jean-Paul Sartre comes out publicly in favor of Theo Grunge..