He proclaimed himself “virtuoso of seduction” before being sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his ex-companion. YouTuber Mickaël Philétas, 41, is appealing his conviction, the Versailles public prosecutor’s office said on Monday. The so-called expert in seduction and “masculinity” had been found guilty by the Yvelines Assize Court of the assassination of Mélanie G., 34, of attempted murder of the victim’s new companion and attempted of murder as well as sexual assault at gunpoint on the companion’s younger sister.
This appeal means a painful second trial for the victim’s family. “I deplore this appeal which will not fail to inflict a new difficult ordeal on a worthy and courageous family”, declared to AFP the lawyer for the parents and sisters of Mélanie G., Me Frédéric Rousses.
Nearly 80 stab wounds
Mickaël Philétas had admitted during the investigation to having entered in the middle of the night, in January 2020, the home of his ex-companion, “obsessed” with the idea of knowing if she was dating another man. According to the autopsy, Mélanie G. had received nearly 80 stab wounds. His new companion and his little sister, then aged 20, who were at the scene, had also been stabbed multiple times.
A zumba teacher, the accused hosted a YouTube channel with hundreds of videos, in which he proclaimed himself a “virtuoso of seduction”, “a specialist in masculinity” and vilified the “castration” of men by their companions. During the trial, the accused invoked his right to silence throughout his interrogation. This silence reflected, according to him, a “very, very big shame”.