Beatrice Zavarro told the court in Avignon that there were "two Dominiques", one who was apparently devoted to his family and the other one with a "certain perversity".
For Gisèle Pelicot, Zavarro said her husband had a final word: "I have betrayed you with the obscene... without you I am nothing. Judge me by the best times of our life. I know that one day we'll meet again somewhere else, and I hope we'll be able to talk about all this again."
Zavarro urged Gisèle Pelicot, 72, a former logistics manager, to "keep in mind this first Dominique... the man he was, who loved you profoundly. I leave you to reflect on that."
Zavarro said she had "the utmost respect" for Gisèle Pelicot and her "dignity", as well as her family, particularly her daughter Caroline and two daughters-in-law. All were photographed by Dominique Pelicot.
This story is from the November 28, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the November 28, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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