The 50 accused spoke one last time before the Vaucluse criminal court this Monday, December 16. The verdict is expected Thursday the 19th in the morning.
After sixty-four days of hearing and fifteen weeks of debate before the Vaucluse criminal court, what weight can these last words, these last sentences have? In just over an hour this Monday, December 16 at the Mazan rape trial, a striking summary of this extraordinary affair is suddenly concentrated.
Dominique Pelicot, who raped and had his drugged wife raped for a decade, remains in contrition which he assures is sincere, even though the maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment was requested against him.
A final tribute to Gisèle
His first words are a final tribute to Gisèle. “I would like to start by saluting the courage of my ex-wife for being able to bear the innuendo of complicity. To ask her to please, like the rest of my family, accept my apologies. I regret what I did and having made them suffer for four years.”
He distributes last paws, too. Towards his co-defendants: “They said I lied, that I was manipulative, but they all lied to their families to come to my house.” Towards his brother: “He came to lie on the stand, it was his revenge pbecause I broke the silence of an incestuous father that he covered as a family doctor.”
Claws to the accused and his first lawyer
His first lawyer is also entitled to a scratch, “Who took the liberty of withdrawing and coming here to sue me for the accused (sic). I find that in justice, judge and party do not get along well.”
On the other hand, he greets “loyalty” by Me Béatrice Zavarro, his lawyer, before a disturbing conclusion. “The deprivation of not seeing your loved ones is worse than that of freedom. I will continue to write verses and poems. There you have the rest of my life in your hands.”
Behind him, the 50 accused follow one another, on the stand or at the microphone in the box. A good thirty chose sobriety, sticking to thanking their lawyers, the court and the president for their listening.
“I am not a rapist”
Some take the opportunity to proclaim their innocence one last time. “LThe affair made me sick for life. I'm not a rapist” repeats Husamettin D., 43 years old, who risks twelve years. “I never wanted to rape anyone, I swear.” said Mohamed R. 70 years old, already convicted of domestic rape, and who faces an additional 17 years.
“I consider myself the victim of manipulation in this matter. I maintain that I came to the Pelicot home being convinced that I was dealing with a libertine couple and that Madame was consenting.e” continues Ahmed T., a 54-year-old plumber, who faces twelve years. “JI never had the intention or the conscience to commit this crime. If this person had told me the truth, I would never have shown up at their home.” continues Cendric V., 43 years old, who faces 14 years.
The liberal nurse is in tears
Redouane E., 55, a liberal nurse who risks 12 years, sinks, in tears, into logorrhea and a disturbing conspiracy theory. “It’s impossible to individualize in a trial like this. We can’t take a step back. We are in the dictatorship of the image, the image is the masterful means of manipulating”.
Few people apologize to Gisèle Pelicot. “J'I'm ashamed of myself, and I have nothing to add' loose Abdellahi D., 57 years old, who faces 13 years.
“I’m ashamed of myself, I’m disgusted”
Others are overwhelmed, like Jean-Pierre M., 63, who also drugged and raped his wife, with Dominique Pelicot. “JI'm ashamed of myself. I'm disgusted. A man must protect his wife and I have defiled her. Jjudge me for what I have done and for what I am”. Mathieu D., 53, who risks ten years for an evening in Mazan, is in the same position: “I will regret my actions all my life.
Some are finally trying to gain some perspective, both on themselves and on the case. “MNow I need to know how many years I'm going for.” launches Jérôme V., 46 years old, who risks sixteen years of imprisonment for six evenings in Mazan in 2020.
“You will not have my hatred”
“Whatever sentence pronounced, I will not appeal, to respect the victim, and not to ask my partner to return to the bar to experience something traumatic. I would also like to address the company, and say sorry. It is difficult to understand, this wave of hatred. But vYou will never have my hatred. I think hatred never defends people's cause.” Verdict, barring unforeseen circumstances, this Thursday, December 19 at 9:30 a.m.
