THE ESSENTIAL
• Dominique Pelicot was found guilty of all the charges against him. He was sentenced to 20 years of criminal imprisonment.
• The criminal court handed down sentences ranging from three years in prison, two of which were suspended, to the maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for Dominique Pelicot, the main accused. Sentences of 4 to 20 years in prison had been requested by the prosecution against the 51 accused. Overall, the sentences handed down are lower than the requisitions.
• A major security service was deployed. The Avignon public prosecutor’s office specified that “the police force has been considerably reinforced, with the presence of a republican security company”.
LIVE
12:15 | A defense lawyer sends a message from his client: the tone rises
12 hours | Around forty defendants in prison
If some of the accused emerged free from the hearing, generally with a prison sentence covered by pre-trial detention, around forty of them were kept in prison or incarcerated at the end of the hearing. Note that one of the accused is on the run.
11:55 a.m. | Gisèle Pelicot’s children “disappointed” by the sentences
Gisèle Pelicot’s children said they were “disappointed” with the sentences imposed on the 51 accused, considering them too “low” (statement to AFP). “The children are disappointed with these low sentences,” commented a member of the Pelicot family, who asked to remain anonymous. None of the family members wanted to speak to Dominique Pelicot after his sentence to the maximum sentence of 20 years in prison: “there is no question of it”.
11:30 a.m. | Me Patrick Gontard, lawyer for Jean-Pierre Maréchal will not appeal
Jean-Pierre Maréchal, prosecuted for having raped his wife using the same modus operandi as Dominique Pelicot, was sentenced to 12 years in prison. His lawyer, Me Patrick Gontard, indicated that he will not appeal the court’s decision. “He is a man, who through this verdict, regains a little space and image with his family, underlined the lawyer. He continues and will continue to engage in the path of reintegration.”
11:15 a.m. | The reaction of Me Béatrice Zavarro, lawyer for Dominique Pelicot
The defense lawyer indicated at the end of the hearing that her client “takes note” of the decision of the criminal court, “a little stunned by the length of the security period”. Will he appeal? “No decision taken from this point of view,” said the lawyer who also said that they have ten days to make a decision and that she would discuss it with her client.
Me Béatrice Zavarro also had a word for her client’s ex-wife: “I wanted Ms. Pelicot to be able to emerge from these debates peacefully”, praising her “dignity”.
10:55 a.m. | The hearing is adjourned
The 51 accused were convicted and each received their quantum of sentence. The president adjourned the hearing. Gisèle Pelicot’s reaction is expected.
10:50 a.m. | A wide range of sentences
The Vaucluse criminal court handed down sentences ranging from three years, two of which were suspended, to fifteen years in prison. And twenty years for Dominique Pelicot. Some defendants will therefore emerge free from the courthouse, since there was not systematically a committal warrant issued at the bar.
10h30 | Strong reactions outside the courthouse
According to several journalists present on site, tension is rising outside the courthouse, notably with cries of anger against the sentences handed down which are, for the most part, below the requisitions.
10h25 | The president repeats the sentences
Each of the accused received a prison sentence.
Jean-Pierre Maréchal, prosecuted for having raped his wife using the same modus operandi as Dominique Pelicot, was sentenced to 12 years in prison (17 years had been required).
10:22 a.m. | No acknowledgment
While several defense lawyers had argued for acquittal, the court issued no acquittal. The argument according to which the accused had participated in a sexual game against a backdrop of libertinism in order to have a relationship with Gisèle Pelicot was not accepted.
10:20 a.m. | Dominique Pelicot sentenced to 20 years of criminal imprisonment
The main accused is sentenced to the maximum sentence: 20 years of criminal imprisonment, with two-thirds security. The president of the criminal court, Roger Arata, specified that at the end of his sentence, his situation “will be subject to a review to judge his safety”. He will also be registered in the French national sex offender file.
10:15 a.m. | Already around thirty culprits
The president continues to explain to each of the accused whether he is guilty or not. For the moment, of the 51 men prosecuted, around thirty have been found guilty of aggravated rape.
10:10 a.m. | Guilty of what exactly?
The president explains to the defendants found guilty: “The court answered yes to all the questions, except for that of impaired discernment. You are found guilty of rape aggravated by two circumstances: meeting and administration of substance. “
10:05 a.m. | The tribute of Yael Braun-Pivet, president of the National Assembly
10 a.m. | And the other defendants?
The president goes from accused to accused. Four have already been found guilty.
9:50 a.m. | Dominique Pelicot is found guilty of all the charges against him
The main accused is found guilty of “aggravated rape” of Gisèle Pelicot but also of attempted aggravated rape and aggravated rape of the wife of one of his co-defendants. He will know his sentence when the president has finished declaring the accused guilty, or not.
“Mr. Pelicot, you are found guilty of aggravated rape against the person of Gisèle Pelicot”
9:47 a.m. | The hearing is open
It is the moment of truth for the accused but also for the civil parties.
9:45 a.m. | Dominique Pelicot entered the dock
Twenty years of criminal imprisonment were requested against the main accused, prosecuted for having drugged his wife in order to rape her and have her raped by strangers.
During his last speech, Monday, December 16, the septuagenarian begged his family to “accept his apologies”, while saluting the “courage” of his ex-wife, Gisèle.
9:30 a.m. | The verdict should be delivered within the next few minutes
Gisèle Pelicot took her place in the courtroom, surrounded by her lawyers. Not far away, his children are there too. On the other side, the accused who appear free.
In the middle of the trial, a listening and advice platform 100% dedicated to chemical submission was launched last October. Sign of a paradigm shift. Read the article
9:10 a.m. | Gisèle Pelicot arrived at the courthouse
Gisèle Pelicot was present throughout the hearing. This Thursday, as during the last three months, she is warmly applauded.
8:55 a.m. | Defendants who appear free take their seats in the courtroom
The men who appear free take their seats in the room. Everyone has a bag. They are likely to go to prison following the verdict.
When they arrived at court, several of them were insulted by the public, notably feminist activists displaying signs “Jail for all” or even “rapist your dick in a blender”.
8:40 a.m. | The children of the Pelicot couple present
Caroline, Florian and David, the three children of Gisèle and Dominique Pelicot, arrived at the Avignon courthouse. During the trial, Caroline testified, as did her brothers. The young woman is sure that she too was a victim of her father, something he always denied.
8:30 a.m. | The reminder of the facts
Dominique Pelicot, 72, is accused of having, for around ten years, drugged his wife Gisèle, also 72, to deliver her sexually to strangers he met via the Internet. His actions ended when he was arrested in a store, filming under women’s clothing, after investigators found videos of his unconscious wife, being abused by dozens of men. Fifty were able to be identified and referred to the criminal court.
8:25 a.m. | The audience is already very numerous
According to several journalists present on site, the public is already very numerous in front of the doors of the criminal court. Some people say they arrived at night to make sure they had a place.
8:20 a.m. | A banner of support for Gisèle Pelicot
A banner displaying a large “thank you Gisèle” floats this Thursday at the entrance to the Avignon courthouse. The summary of the fight of the victim of this affair, who always repeated wanting “shame to change sides”.
Since the start of the trial, Gisèle Pelicot has received support from collectives, associations but also from anonymous people. Her portrait now sits as a symbol of the cause of women near the Avignon court.
(Photos Thierry Lindauer)
8:15 a.m. | Media from around the world
As since the opening of the debates in this extraordinary affair, the Avignon criminal court will appear before the eyes of the whole world. 180 media outlets were accredited to follow the verdict.
8:05 a.m. | A day of verdict?
It is difficult to say how long the hearing will last this Thursday, December 19. The president of the criminal court will list the sentences, accused by accused. He can simply give the sentence and move on to the next one, leaving the reasons available to the lawyers, or he can read the court’s reasons for each, which would take much more time.
8 hours | Hello everyone
Welcome to this live stream to follow the verdict in the Mazan rape trial.
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