Metzner, lawyer who defended French PM. found dead March 18, 2013 - 8:19AM Olivier Metzner in 2010 Photo: AP PARIS: A French star lawyer whose clients ranged from Panama's former dictator Manuel Noriega to former prime minister Dominique de Villepin has been found dead near his private island home in Brittany. Sources said the body of Olivier Metzner was found floating in the Gulf of Morbihan, a natural harbour on France's western coast, on Sunday morning. A suicide letter was found in his home, they said. The gendarmerie confirmed the death but declined to give any details surrounding it. Mr Metzner, 63, succeeded in getting Mr de Villepin acquitted in a case where he was accused of plotting to smear his political rival Nicolas Sarkozy. In 2010, Mr Metzner defended General Noriega. He was eventually found guilty of money laundering and sentenced to seven years in prison.