Dominique Pelicot, a 72-year-old man who confessed to drugging his wife for years and inviting numerous men to rape her, will not appeal his conviction on aggravated rape and other charges, according to his lawyer on Monday.
The case has led to significant public discourse in France about spousal violence and rape culture, with 17 of the 50 other men convicted also appealing their sentences. This information was shared by lawyer Béatrice Zavarro, who noted that more appeals may still be filed before the court's deadline on Monday night.
During the trial, Mr. Pelicot anticipated receiving the maximum 20-year sentence for his crimes against his former wife, Gisèle Pelicot. The five-judge panel delivered this sentence on December 19, which included the final verdicts and penalties.
With the exposure of his actions, Mr. Pelicot has become one of France's most infamous sexual offenders. Ms. Zavarro explained in an interview that Mr. Pelicot perceived an appeal as a "new ordeal" for Ms. Pelicot, whom he claimed was not his adversary during the proceedings. She also mentioned concerns that an appeal could expose him to additional charges and a potentially harsher sentence.
The other 50 defendants received varying sentences between three and 15 years, with six already released after serving most or all of their time prior to the trial. Under French law, defendants who have filed appeals are entitled to a new trial, which will involve a nine-person jury. Prosecutors have the discretion to decide whether to try only the appealing defendants or all 51 men again.
The identities of the 17 men who appealed, as well as the specifics of their appeals—whether regarding the sentence, the verdict, or both—have not been disclosed by the court.
More than 30 defendants acknowledged having sexual relations with Ms. Pelicot but claimed they did not intend to commit rape, citing Mr. Pelicot's manipulation into believing the encounters were consensual. Some alleged that they too were tricked into believing Ms. Pelicot was either pretending to sleep or had taken sleeping pills, a claim Mr. Pelicot has denied.
On Monday, Carine Monzat, representing one of the convicted men, indicated via text that she was reviewing the court's decision and had filed an appeal to maintain options, with the possibility of later withdrawing it.
Ms. Pelicot chose to make her trial and identity public, earning praise as a feminist icon and a symbol of courage for survivors of sexual violence. In brief comments to reporters post-verdict, she expressed solidarity with "the victims, unrecognized, whose stories often remain hidden," emphasizing their shared struggle.
In a phone interview, one of Ms. Pelicot's attorneys, Stéphane Babonneau, stated that she understands the guilty verdicts and sentences are just the beginning of the process. He affirmed her respect for the defendants' right to appeal, noting that while she would have preferred no further trials, she is prepared to face any future proceedings with greater resilience.