Dominique Pelicot was found guilty on Thursday by a French court of drugging and raping his wife numerous times over the course of nearly ten years, as well as inviting numerous others to rape her comatose body in their house.
Additionally, prosecutors are requesting sentences of four to eighteen years for an additional fifty defendants, nearly all of whom are charged with raping the unconscious Pelicot. The verdicts are expected to be delivered by the southern French court on Thursday.
During the three-month trial, 72-year-old Dominique Pelicot entered a guilty plea to the charges and expressed regret to his family.
Many of the other defendants, whom he had met online, denied rape, claiming that they believed they were participating in a game of consensual sex that the couple had planned and that it wasn’t rape if the husband gave his OK.
The guys, who came from all walks of life, were told that Pelicot knew his now-ex-wife was unconscious and didn’t know what they were doing to her. Pelicot has denied deceiving them.
During the trial, 72-year-old Gisele Pelicot gave up her right to remain anonymous and insisted that the horrific films of the abuse, which were captured by her ex-husband, be shown in court. She expressed her hope that this might assist other
Protest marches in support of Gisele have been held all around France as a result of the trial, which has also sparked introspection and a discussion about whether to amend France’s rape legislation, which currently does not indicate that consent is required for sex.
Day after day, in the crowded courtroom, Gisele glared down her assailants with iron resolve, laughing at any suggestion that she might have been a complicit party.
She testified in October, saying, “I’ve decided not to be ashamed, I’ve done nothing wrong.” “They should feel ashamed,” she remarked.
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