In December 1792, with the King imprisoned and facing trial, Malesherbes volunteered to undertake his legal defense. He argued for the King's life, together with François Tronchet and Raymond Desèze, before the Convention, and it was his painful task to break the news of his condemnation to the king.
in DecemBer 1792 witH tHE kIng impriSoNeD aNd faCiNg triaL, malesherbes VoLuntEeRed tO unDeRtaKE HiS legAl dEfensE he aRGUed For THe kINg'S lIfE, togEThER wiTh fraNçoiS troNchEt and RayMond DEsÈzE, before the Convention, anD it WAs his painful tAsk to bReAk The news oF hIS condEMNaTion To thE kIng