Associate of Frenchman on trial for mass rape of wife Gisele Pelicot admits copycat abuse of his own wife

A person who says he discovered to drug and rape his personal spouse from Frenchman Dominque Pelicot, who’s admitted to drugging and raping his personal former associate for nearly a decade, and recruiting scores of strangers to assault her as effectively, mentioned Wednesday that he deserved to be harshly punished.

“I am in jail and I deserve it,” the 63-year-old informed the court docket in Avignon the place the mass rape trial of Pelicot has been unfolding to the horror of the French and worldwide public. 

“What I did is appalling. I am a legal and a rapist,” mentioned Jean-Pierre Marechal, a tall man with a buzzcut who claimed he was equipped with tranquillisers by Pelicot.

Pelicot, 71, has admitted slipping his then spouse Gisele sedatives to render her unconscious in order that he and dozens of strangers may rape her.

Gisele Pelicot additionally testified within the Avignon court docket Wednesday, saying she felt humiliated by protection legal professionals suggesting she may have been complicit within the ordeal.

“Since I’ve set foot on this courtroom I’ve felt humiliated,” she mentioned through the trial of her former husband, who stands accused together with 50 different males of raping his spouse between 2011 and 2020.  

“I am being referred to as an alcoholic, and somebody who will get intoxicated to the purpose of changing into Mr. Pelicot’s confederate,” she bristled.

Marechal is the one one concerned within the case who shouldn’t be accused of abusing Gisele Pelicot. As a substitute, Marechal is accused of raping or trying to rape his 54-year-old spouse Cilia 12 occasions, with Pelicot accused of participating in 10 of these assaults after the 2 males met on-line.

“What I did is horrible and I desire a robust punishment,” mentioned Marechal.

“I remorse my actions,” he informed the courtroom. “If I had not met Mr. Pelicot, I’d have by no means dedicated this act. He was reassuring, like a cousin.”

In accordance with prosecutors, after the 2 males met on a web site referred to as Coco, Pelicot began sharing pictures of his abuse of his spouse by the boys he’d enlisted, explaining to Marechal how he drugged her. Marechal mentioned he initially refused Pelicot’s invitation to rape his spouse, however later modified his thoughts.

Prosecutors have mentioned Pelicot seems in at the very least three recordings of 12 assaults on Marechal’s spouse Cilia.

Pelicot mentioned he stopped contacting Marechal after Cilia awoke whereas he was within the room.

Marechal says he had a “pleased life” along with his spouse

Marechal informed the court docket he had been abused by his father as a baby. 

“My childhood was all disgrace, alcohol, intercourse and quite a lot of silence,” he mentioned. “We skilled horrible issues from my father, sexual abuse.” 

“My mom tried to guard us however she drank,” he added.

Marechal mentioned he had a “pleased life” along with his spouse after assembly her as a younger man. She too informed the court docket final week that it was a cheerful marriage.

“I like my spouse,” he mentioned.

He lived about 30 miles from the Pelicot house within the southern city of Mazan, the place the principle defendant is accused of abusing his personal spouse in her mattress.

Gisele Pelicot has been lauded globally for waiving her proper to anonymity underneath French legislation and insisting the trial be open to the general public, hoping to lift consciousness about the usage of medicine to commit sexual abuse.

contributed to this report.