Trial unveils shocking details in France's rape case
This case has shaken France. The trial of 50 men accused of raping Gisèle Pelicot is underway. During the last hearing, shocking videos recorded by the victim’s husband were presented. The man covered his eyes and ears, unwilling to watch them. The victim herself sat with her head against the wall and eventually left the room.
9:33 AM EDT, October 11, 2024
According to the BBC, the key evidence in the trial consists of videos filmed by her husband, which were shown during the hearing. The recordings show a woman who was under the influence and unaware of what was happening to her.
The prosecution argues that the accused must have known that the woman was not participating in the sexual acts voluntarily. Prosecutors claim that each of the 50 men was aware that Gisèle was unconscious and could not give consent, which means their acts constituted intentional rape. Many of the accused defend themselves by claiming that Dominique Pelicot convinced them it was simply an element of mutual, consensual sexual play.
During the trial, the recordings made by Dominique Pelicot were finally shown. He himself covered his ears and eyes, unwilling to watch. Gisèle leaned her head against the wall while the video played but left the room shortly after. "I can't stand this man," she said.
In one of the earliest recordings, there was carpenter Vincent C., who admitted that at one point he felt "discomfort," but did not question what was happening. He expressed remorse but claimed he had no intention of committing a crime. The portal Le Monde described him as an alcoholic, drug addict, and domestic abuser. He admitted that he responded to an online ad and believed he was "satisfying the couple," asking no questions when he got permission for sex from the woman's husband.
Another defendant stated that he is a victim of Dominique. He claims that the man told him what to do.
According to the "Daily Mail," Jerome B. testified that he first did gardening work, and then the man offered him sex with his wife. He claimed he refused because Pelicot said the woman would be drugged.
An official, whom Pelicot found online, also reportedly refused sex. The man stated that he thought Dominique was "rambling" about drugging the woman. "It never occurred to me that he was actually giving drugs to his wife," he testified.
The defense attorney for some of the accused, Paul-Roger Gontard, emphasized that a significant responsibility for the circumstances in which the men were involved rests greatly with Dominique Pelicot himself.
In the courtroom, as reported by the BBC, some men admitted guilt and apologized to Gisèle.
