Dominique Pélicot delivered his final statements in the Vaucluse criminal court on November 20, 2024, as the trial entered its 49th day. He faces serious charges, including aggravated rape, with the prosecution seeking a 20-year prison sentence. Pélicot is accused of drugging and facilitating the assault of his ex-wife, Gisèle Pélicot, and coordinating attacks by other men. The trial has attracted public attention, emphasizing the need for justice and the significance of individual sentencing for each co-defendant. A verdict is expected by December 20.
Final Statements in the Mazan Rape Trial
On Wednesday, November 20, Dominique Pélicot had his last chance to share his perspective before the Vaucluse criminal court as the trial reached its pivotal 49th day. After responding to inquiries from the defense attorneys, he took a moment to reach out to his daughter, Caroline Darian, expressing his desire to see her during visiting hours. Aware of the grave consequences he might face, Pélicot was reminded by his lawyer, Me Jalil Henri Amr, of the “long and painful prison ordeal” that awaited him. The prosecutor’s summation is set to commence on Monday, November 25, 2024, coinciding with the “International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.” During these proceedings, Pélicot and 50 co-defendants are charged with aggravated rapes against Gisèle Pélicot, with the prosecution advocating for a 20-year prison sentence for the victim’s ex-husband.
Prosecution’s Request for Sentencing
The public prosecutor’s office has deemed 20 years the maximum penalty for Dominique Pélicot, highlighting the severity of his “abominable actions.” He is accused of drugging Gisèle Pélicot from 2011 to 2020, facilitating her rape, and orchestrating assaults by numerous men he connected with online. During the trial, Laure Chabaud, one of the public prosecutors, articulated the dilemma of the requested sentence: “20 years is a significant time, representing a substantial portion of a life. However, it is also insufficient,” she asserted. The prosecution has also sought a 17-year sentence for Jean-Pierre M., who, while not charged with raping Gisèle Pélicot directly, is accused of raping his own wife with Pélicot’s assistance. According to public prosecutor Jean-François Mayet, the two men had engaged in “about ten meetings over a decade.”
As the trial progresses, a feminist collective displayed a banner outside the court stating “20 years for each,” emphasizing the need for justice. However, the court has mandated that each co-defendant’s sentence be individualized, considering factors such as criminal history and the specifics of each case. “The facts and the personality of each accused have been taken into account in our requests,” noted Jean-François Mayet, stressing the significance of this landmark trial in reshaping gender relationships. At the start of the day, the prosecutor honored Gisèle Pélicot for her bravery and dignity in making the trial public, affirming that the past weeks have underscored the necessity of such visibility to shift the burden of shame.
The prosecutor’s summation is projected to span three days, concluding on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, with the defense presenting their case until December 13. A final verdict is anticipated by December 20.