The impending verdict in the Vaucluse criminal court is highlighted by final statements from the accused, Dominique Pelicot, who expressed remorse for drugging and exploiting his ex-wife, Gisèle, over a decade. He sought forgiveness from his family, acknowledged his health issues, and shared the emotional pain of separation from loved ones. Facing a potential 10 to 20-year prison sentence, he emphasized the gravity of his situation, with prosecutors recommending a maximum sentence for him and his co-defendants.
Final Statements Before the Verdict
The long-awaited verdict is set to be announced on Thursday, but prior to the conclusion of the debates at the criminal court of Vaucluse, the accused had a final opportunity to express themselves during the trial concerning the rapes in Mazan.
Dominique Pelicot’s Apology and Acknowledgment
Dominique Pelicot, the primary defendant, took a moment to ask his family to ‘accept his apologies’ while commending the ‘courage’ of his ex-wife, Gisèle. He admitted to drugging her for a decade to facilitate the assault and exploitation by numerous men he had recruited online.
In his closing remarks, the 72-year-old stated, ‘I would like to begin by recognizing the bravery of my ex-wife.’ He continued, ‘I ask her and my family to please accept my apologies. I deeply regret the suffering I inflicted over the past four years since the truth emerged in 2020, and I seek their forgiveness.’
Pelicot asserted that he had shared ‘the whole truth’ throughout the trial, which commenced on September 2 in Avignon. He expressed gratitude to the court for permitting him to sit on a special chair due to his delicate health, clarifying that his posture should not be misinterpreted as indifference.
He also acknowledged his lawyer, Me Béatrice Zavarro, for helping him stay composed during the proceedings. He emphasized that giving up would have signified cowardice towards his family and could have favored the defense. ‘I have been labeled in certain ways, but my desire is to fade into obscurity,’ he remarked, sharing his feelings of ‘inner shame.’ He described the persona he created to cope, stating, ‘Otherwise, one could perish in prison.’
Pelicot faced a potential prison sentence ranging from ten to twenty years. He reflected on the emotional toll of being separated from his loved ones, declaring, ‘The inability to see my family is more painful than the loss of freedom.’ Addressing the five magistrates, he concluded, ‘You hold the remainder of my life in your hands.’
On November 25, prosecutors sought the maximum sentence of 20 years for Pelicot, who has consistently acknowledged his culpability. Among his 50 co-defendants, most are charged with aggravated rapes, with the prosecution advocating for sentences ranging from 10 to 18 years for 49 of them. The last defendant faced a four-year sentence for lesser charges related to inappropriate touching of Gisèle Pelicot.