The reading of the verdict should begin in a few minutes. The accused appearing free – 32 out of 50, a fifty-first are on the run – continue to arrive at the Avignon courthouse, greeted by a thorough security search, and an impressive – frightening, almost – wall of cameras.
They all brought with them a bag containing some belongings, in the probable case that they were arrested at the hearing, and immediately left for detention. Joseph C., the only accused who was prosecuted for sexual assault, and not for rape or attempted rape, did not take a bundle, « par superstition »says one of his relatives, a neighbor, who accompanied him to court. Four years in prison have been requested against him, he is the one who has the best chance of emerging free from the hearing today.
The atmosphere is heavy, Cyrille D.’s daughter is in tears, the companions of other accused comfort each other in the room of the lost steps before taking their place in one of the broadcasting rooms made available to the families – they were unable to take their place in the main room, which was too small and already filled with the accused, their lawyers, Gisèle Pelicot, her family and loved ones, and the police.
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