All defendants in the Pelicot case found guilty

[Greyskybluesky]

All those names. It's horrific.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cnv35lp14z9t

A range of sentences, from the maximum 20 yrs to walking free because of time served before the trial.

One of the defence lawyers spoke at some length, he started off well about respecting the legal process and the dignity of the court etc but then seemed to double down on the idea that some of the defendants were not rapists because they did not intend to rape, and in the debate about consent, the notion of intent should be retained in French law.
He also repeated that his client was controlled by the husband, so less guilty..

To be fair to the lawyer, they have to try anything to argue why their client should get off/lightest sentence possible. Doesn’t mean he agrees with a word he is saying (though he might).

Good. I don't understand how they could not have been given the maximum sentences though?

I agree, and Dominique Pelicot's lawyer spoke too, and was much less 'opinionated', it was obvious that she had a job to do and was doing it fairly ad to her best ability. Other defence lawyers have actually expressed their respect for Gisele P., I believe.
I found the words of the lawyer I referred to were surprisingly strong, given that he had just stepped out of the culmination of such a shocking and clear-cut rape trial.

20 years was the maximum possible, so if they wanted to punish the specific depravity of the husband with a higher sentence, the others 'had to' [I'm not approving] be lower.

BBC and Sky giving this live coverage, and some very very strong feminist statements being broadcast in the gaps between anything happening at the court. Somebody called Jamie Klinger on Sky calling out male violence as being something that only men can stop - 'if me talking at Speakers Corner for years could end male violence, it would be over already - men have to stop it'

I've never heard so much profound and angry feminist analysis of male violence on mainstream media ever!

#NotAllMenButAt Least72InASmallGeographicalArea...

Yes. This is one of the most horrific aspects of this case.

I’m very pleased all those rapists will be locked away and wish them a very uncomfortable stay in prison.

#ShouldhavethoughtabouttheimplicationsofvisitingawebsitecalledWithoutHerKnowledge

11.57⭐⭐⭐Gisele P about to speak live BBC/Sky and probably elsewhere.

Damn. I’m at work 😭

A short statement, with complete strength and dignity as always.

The fact that there was such a long delay before she appeared before the cameras meant that BBC and Sky had to keep talking, keep interviewing experts and activists, and as I said before, I have never ever heard such a prolonged and sustained expression of feminist analysis of male violence!

I have to go out now, I've been hanging on till the last moment hoping to be able to see her speak.

I did, and I am inspired.

Guilty was the only possible verdict. I understand that the husband was deemed to be more depraved and offered his wife for rape; therefore a longer sentence but I would have liked to have seen 15 years for the other rapists.

All from within a 60km radius. 71 men, 20 yet to be found.

Wow. BBC reporter talking about MVAWG.

I have just checked. A 70km radius around Mazan has a population of circa 2.2 million.

https://www.maps.ie/population/

That's a very useful link, thank you Arabella.

Given that Mazan is just Anytown, we could draw a 70km radius around anywhere, such as the place we live in, and wonder how many potential rapists are contained in that area..72? more? less?

Of course they're guilty. I just can't believe how many perverts there are in a small radius around an idyllic village?! Bearing in mind this filthy lot are a tiny proportion of people up to no good being sickos.

Moving statement from Gisele Pelicot.

“It is with deep emotion that I speak to you today. This trial has been a very difficult ordeal. And at this moment, I am thinking first and foremost of my three children, David, Caroline and Florian.

“I’m also thinking of my grandchildren, because they are the future, and it’s also for them that I’ve fought this battle, as well as my daughters-in-law, Aurore and Céline.

“I’m also thinking of all the other families affected by this tragedy. I’m also thinking of the unrecognised victims, whose stories often remain in the shadows. I want you to know that we share the same struggle.

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported me throughout this ordeal. Your testimonies have overwhelmed me and given me the strength to come back every day to face those long days of hearings.

“I would also like to thank the Victim Support Association, whose unfailing support has been invaluable.

“To all the journalists who have followed this case from the outset, I wish to express my gratitude for the faithful, respectful and dignified way in which they have reported daily on these hearings.

“Finally, I would like to express my gratitude and esteem to my lawyers for having accompanied me at every stage of this painful journey.

“When I opened the doors of this trial on September 2, I wanted society to be able to take part in the debates that took place. I have never regretted that decision.

“I now have confidence in our ability to collectively grasp a future in which everyone, woman and man, can live in harmony, with mutual respect and understanding.”

Asked afterwards by the press about the verdict handed down a few minutes earlier by the Criminal Court, Mrs Pelicot simply added: “I respect the court and the decision of the verdict.”

Hm, was it a 60km radius?

If so, that's 1.3 million people. Around 650,000 men.

The number of men horrified me.

There are so many factors it's almost impossible to get accurate ideas, but still.

How many would do this if they had the opportunity? Not many would know about the website Pelicot used. So that number would be presumably higher in the populace.

But how many were enabled and encouraged by the website? How many were encouraged by Pelicot?

The population within that area will include children, who were presumably not approached to participate.

None of the men approached went to the police, even the ones who didnt take part.

Those 70 men are not the only convicted rapists in the area either.

20 men yet to be brought to justice?

Shockingly, the lawyer for six of the defendants argued they had not raped her because French law defines rape as penetrative sex “using violence, coercion, threat or surprise” (fucking surprise?!!) and none of them had any “intent to rape” as they were “duped” by M. Pelicot, her husband.

There is currently no mention of “consent” in French legislation. He (the fucking husband) was very specific that they all knew she was drugged and unaware. The online chat room communications confirmed this. Others argued as the husband had granted them consent it was ok. Dear god.
There is currently a campaign in France to have consent and drugging offences included in rape legislation.

Absolutely stunned at the spine of steel displayed by this woman; less stunned by the depravity of these men.