In a shocking and horrifying trial that has captivated France, Dominique Pélicot, a 71-year-old French man accused of repeatedly raping his drugged wife and enlisting strangers to abuse her, has been hospitalized. This development could potentially lead to a temporary halt in the trial proceedings.

Pélicot has been standing trial since last week, along with fifty other men aged 26 to 74, who are also accused of involvement in the case that has sparked outrage and revulsion across the country. The main defendant, Pélicot, has admitted to the charges against him and was due to be questioned on Tuesday afternoon.

However, on Monday, Pélicot appeared frail, relying on a cane and the glass side of the dock for support. His lawyer, Béatrice Zavarro, informed the court that he experienced abdominal pain and was subsequently excused from attending court. On Tuesday, it was revealed that Pélicot had been hospitalized due to his condition, leading Zavarro to argue that it would be meaningless to continue the trial without his presence.

Presiding judge Roger Arata has ordered an examination of the accused and stated that he could potentially suspend the trial until Pélicot's health improves. Throughout the trial, Pélicot has maintained that he will participate and answer all questions, refuting any suggestion that he is evading the proceedings. According to Zavarro, Pélicot began experiencing medical issues on Friday and has always been committed to appearing in court.

Experts who have analyzed Pélicot's behavior have described him as a self-centered manipulator lacking empathy and exhibiting a split personality. Pélicot's former wife, Gisèle Pélicot, 71, stated that she had been troubled by memory lapses for years until the police accidentally uncovered the abuse when he was caught filming up women's skirts in a local supermarket.

Gisèle Pélicot has insisted on keeping the trial open to the public, highlighting the use of drugs in committing sexual assault. The family's attorney, Stéphane Babonneau, stressed the necessity for Pélicot to receive medical treatment and be able to attend the trial. Gisèle Pélicot and her children have expressed their unwillingness to testify without his presence.

According to the investigators who have examined evidence seized from Pélicot's computer and other devices, he meticulously recorded the abuse of his wife. Stephan Gal, one of the investigators, revealed in court that all of the co-accused must have been aware that Gisèle Pélicot was unconscious. Gal emphasized the importance of listening to the sound in the footage, pointing out that it was evident she was sleeping.

Among the 51 accused individuals, 18 including Dominique Pélicot are in custody, while 32 others are attending the trial as free individuals. The last defendant is being judged in absentia as he is still at large. The prosecution presented the case of one of the co-defendants, Mathieu D, who sexually abused Gisèle Pélicot without using protection. Police identified him through a distinctive tattoo and found his contact information on Dominique Pélicot's phone, noting that he was present in Mazan on the same day.

The Pélicots' daughter, Caroline Darian, 45, described how her life was upended upon learning of the abuse. Naked photomontages of her were also discovered on her father's computer. The couple's two sons are expected to provide testimony during the trial.

The shocking and deeply disturbing case has sent shockwaves throughout France, as the trial continues to shed light on the use of drugs for sexual assault. As the trial potentially faces a temporary adjournment due to Dominique Pélicot's hospitalization, the victims and their supporters eagerly await the next steps in their quest for justice.