The Versailles public prosecutor's office on Tuesday requested the same sentence as at first instance against Marvel Fitness, a YouTuber sentenced in September to two years in prison, one of which was suspended for moral harassment on other influencers.
During his trial before the Versailles Court of Appeal, Marvel Fitness, 32 years old today, defended himself by explaining that he had made
“satire videos”
but
“without hateful intent”.
To read also: Moral harassment: the YouTuber Marvel Fitness judged on appeal Tuesday in Versailles
Moral harassment is characterized when it
"
has the
effect of worsening the living conditions of the victim"
, retorted the general counsel, noting
"gratuitous violence"
which could
"recur". "I didn't feel him take a step towards the victims,"
she explained, urging Marvel Fitness to
"turn (his) mouse on (his) keyboard seven times before clicking."
Unlike his first trial where he had remained silent, Marvel Fitness spoke at length on Tuesday on
"the why"
of the charges, admitting
"to be wrong".
But
"when I see today that they want me to return to prison, I wonder if they are seeking justice or to destroy me",
adds the influencer about the eight civil parties, including other influencers and a lawyer.
"It's a story that can seem quite complex, but it is very simple: there are a lot of stories of ego, a lot of things have been distorted"
, continues Habannou S., glasses with golden frames and T-shirt black long sleeve.
Followed by nearly 169,000 subscribers on Youtube where he publishes videos of bodybuilding advice, Marvel Fitness has gained notoriety thanks to what he called his "dramas", that is to say, taking part in. other fitness influencers.
According to him,
“parodies”
full of
“humor”
to bring to light
“the vices of the trade”
such as
“scams”
or
“photoshop”.
"From the valve"
"Humor is fine, but there are terms used like 'crazy mythomaniac', 'whore', 'barjo' ... In the facts of harassment, there is the idea of dirtying someone"
, reminds him of the president of the chamber.
"If we can laugh, give an opinion, we can not persecute",
abounds Laure-Alice Bouvier, lawyer of the civil parties and herself represented by a lawyer in this case, Marvel Fitness being also judged for
"violence on lawyer without inability".
These offensive terms were used because
“I was an angry man”,
answers Marvel Fitness, evoking a photo-montage of a sexual nature which was attributed to him and created by the influencer and civil party Aline Dessine.
Aline Dessine, targeted by an investigation into photo editing in Belgium, explains that she reacted out of distress in the face of "threats" from Marvel Fitness to
"destroy" her
.
“And who is Katsumi?”
Asks the president.
"This is the nickname I gave"
to another influencer, Tristan Defeuillet-Vang, who had left a critical comment on one of his
"satire videos",
responds Marvel Fitness.
"But, who is Katsumi?"
"She's an actress."
"An actress of what?"
“From X”
finally lets go of Marvel Fitness.
"Wanting to defend myself, I did what I know how to do: the valve."
The civil parties accuse Marvel Fitness of having incited its subscribers to carry out
digital
“raids”
against them.
"We are influencers, we are responsible for our audiences"
, judge Tristan Defeuillet-Vang.
"Nobody realizes what it's like 50,000 tweets telling you to go kill yourself."
Aline Dessine, followed by more than 325,000 subscribers on Instagram, says she, crying, suffering from night terrors and
"pretending that things are going well, because networks are my job".
During the investigation, influencers targeted by Marvel Fitness also reported financial damage to their careers.
"A somewhat ridiculous playground conflict which should not have been taken to court"
, tackles the lawyer for Marvel Fitness, Me Juan Branco, questioning
"the credibility of the words of the civil parties"
, of
"public
persons
" ”
And
“ not vulnerable ”.
The court will deliver its judgment on September 28.