Mazan rape case: Dominique Pelicot ill and excused from hearing, his prolonged absence would be “catastrophic”

Dominique Pelicot could return to the Mazan rape trial on Monday. Midi Libre – FRANCOIS BARRERE

Dominique Pelicot could return to the Mazan rape trial on Monday, but his absence could also be prolonged, which would be “catastrophic” and would require the hearings to be postponed for another week, according to the president of the Vaucluse criminal court.

Sick and excused from hearing for four days now, the 71-year-old retiree was examined by a doctor, who “confirms the need for an exemption this Thursday and tomorrow Friday, the implementation of an appropriate treatment, with possible hospitalization, and a possible discharge date Monday”, declared at the opening of the hearing the presiding judge, Roger Arata.

If Mr. Pelicot, who is said to be suffering from an infection, is “discharged” Monday, next week would then be "priority"devoted to his hearing, as well as following the hearing of his ex-wife and main victim, Gisèle Pelicot, and to those of the “civil parties left pending”, including the couple's two sons, David and Florian.

“And if he's not there on Monday ?”

Then the court would finish examining the first group of four co-accused, out of 50 in total, begun Wednesday.

“And if Mr. Pelicot is not here on Monday ?”, asked his lawyer, Me Béatrice Zavarro.

“Then, it's a disaster (…), we would be forced to postpone it for another week”, replied President Arata, before qualifying: “If he can't be here until Monday, we can postpone it to Tuesday, the week is flexible. Afterwards, if it was a longer unavailability, we will discuss it again”.

What is his state of health ?

The president promised to stay in permanent contact with the prison administration to stay informed of the evolution of Dominique Pelicot's state of health. He also indicated that he would inform the parties to the trial during the weekend.

On Thursday morning, the proceedings resumed in Avignon, in the absence of Dominique Pelicot but also of his family, his wife, the main victim, and his three children, with the hearing of Annabelle Montagne, expert psychologist, who spoke about the first four accused examined this week, Jean-Pierre M., 63 years old, Jacques C., 72 years old, Lionel R., 44 years old, and Cyrille D., 54 years old.

Trial postponed until Monday ?

After his hearing, then the end of that of Stéphan Gal, the second director of investigation of this case, President Arata should normally announce a postponement of the trial until Monday, pending a possible return of the main accused, as he had suggested on Wednesday.

“The difficulty for Mr. M. is that I can hardly imagine hearing him without Mr. Pelicot”, the magistrate had explained.