“Unbearable videos” at the Mazan rape trial but “necessary” broadcast, replies Gisèle Pelicot’s lawyer

The Vaucluse criminal court finally decided to authorize videos and photos broadcast during the debates in the presence of the press and the public. Nine first videos were shown on Friday. Some people left the room.

The viewing of the first videos at the Mazan rape trial on Friday October 4 was “a very difficult moment, because these are unbearable videos”reports Saturday on franceinfo Stéphane Babonneau, lawyer for Gisèle Pelicot. The president of the Vaucluse criminal court finally decided to authorize the broadcast of videos and photos in the presence of the public and the press, on the 22nd day of the trial, specifying that it will not be systematic but only when it is necessary for the manifestation of the truth.

While Olivier Lantelme, one of the defense lawyers, denounced “stinking pictures” on France Bleu Vaucluse, Stéphane Babonneau believes that their broadcast is “necessary”. To the indignation of Me Olivier Lantelme, who asserts a “risk of slippage which does not go in the direction of what justice must remain: dignified”, Gisèle Pelicot’s lawyer replies that it is a “historic trial which goes far beyond our borders”.

According to the franceinfo journalist present at the trial, these videos show “seven men who are busy around the inert body of Gisèle Pelicot who is sleeping from start to finish, who is snoring”. Nine first videos were broadcast in front of a courtroom holding its breath, without changing the accused concerned who almost all maintained that they thought they were participating in a “scenario” libertine.

On the contrary, “it changes everything, according to Stéphane Babonneau. The day before, the accused maintained that one can act and rape a sleeping woman under the duress of another man.the pictures “demonstrate” the opposite, says the lawyer. In the courtroom, the ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, said: “I’m ashamed”head in hands.

A new white march in support of Gisèle Pelicot is organized in Mazan on Saturday October 5 afternoon. “She feels that it gives her a responsibility to speak up for victims of sexual assault and rape”explains his lawyer. The hearing will resume on Monday at the Vaucluse criminal court.