Pélicot, utilizing a cane and showing frail, pleaded for sympathy, saying, “I remorse what I did. I apologize, even when it’s not forgivable.” He claimed his actions stemmed from previous traumas, recounting childhood abuse and asserting that he was not “born perverted.” He described his youth as full of painful recollections and expressed regret for his actions towards Gisèle.
Throughout the trial, Pélicot revealed his involvement within the abuse and shared that his crimes had been partly motivated by a failed try to introduce his spouse to swinging, which she rejected. He confessed to drugging Gisèle to facilitate the assaults.
Pélicot’s protection has beforehand instructed his actions had been influenced by a troubled previous, however his statements haven’t swayed the courtroom’s notion.