On Monday, Peliko was absent shortly after the start of the hearing for the same reason. This morning, Arata decided to request an expert opinion to find out exactly how he is doing and to make a decision.

His lawyer called the postponement “necessary” and rejected speculation this morning that her client was attempting to avoid testifying.

The main defendant was ‘eager’ to testify

He said Pelico would “answer all the questions” and that he was “eager” to reach out to his ex-wife Gisele (they’ve been divorced since August) and their children, but in the meantime, this medical issue had arisen “that he hadn’t programmed.”

In any case, the trial continues, and this afternoon an expert who examined the seized computer materials intervened in the case.

The morning session allowed Stéphane Gal, one of the police investigators on whom the investigation was based, to verify that Gisèle Pélicot had not consented to any of the 50 men found to have had sexual relations with her in audiovisual files confiscated from her now ex-husband.

Gal recalled that he was always under the influence of anxiolytics administered to him by Dominique Pelico, and his unconscious state completely nullified his will.

He explained that in some of the practices that the victim was subjected to, it was obvious that there was suffering even in this state, since the recordings showed him moving or making drowning gestures, when, for example, one of the defendants put his penis in her mouth.

Some say they didn’t know she was on drugs.

Some of those on the bench admitted that they knew about it. Gisele Pelico was chemically treatedBut some deny it, and it is the basis of their defense to avoid conviction for aggravated rape – a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

To justify this supposed ignorance, or at least limit their liability, their lawyers argue that it was Dominic Pelico who orchestrated everything, from approaching them online to preparing the venue for the meetings, and that ultimately they were merely executors of a plan designed in advance.

This defense strategy became apparent through the lawyer’s intervention after Gal showed a video of his client making the victory sign with his fingers as he ejaculated in the direction of Dominic Pelico, who was taking the photos.

The lawyer asked the policeman if he was sure it was a V for victory, as his client explained to him that what he was doing indicated the number of times he had ejaculated and was not a sign of satisfaction.

Some of the audience, who came from a room adjacent to the courtroom, responded with laughter and signs of disapproval.

The videos and photographs held by the main defendants also show nine people who also abused Giselle Pelico, whose identities have not been established.

EFE