French Lawmaker Seeks Truth in Ex-Senator's MDMA Drugging Trial
French lawmaker Sandrine Josso has delivered emotional testimony in a Paris courtroom, describing the lasting trauma she suffered after being drugged with MDMA by former senator Joël Guerriau. The 50-year-old National Assembly member told the court she wants "the truth" to emerge from the trial, which has drawn national attention to drug-facilitated assault in France.
"I Felt Myself Slipping Away"
Josso testified that Guerriau invited her to his Paris apartment in November 2023 to celebrate his reelection, describing how their friendly relationship turned terrifying. "I really felt myself slipping away," she told the court, explaining she experienced heart palpitations shortly after taking a few sips of champagne.
The lawmaker described noticing Guerriau's unusual agitation as he repeatedly turned lights on and off, making her increasingly uneasy about being alone with him. Her suspicions grew when she saw him holding "a little bag" after taking her glass to the kitchen to refill it.
"My legs were shaking, I was extremely thirsty," Josso recalled, her voice breaking with emotion. She described trying to hide her symptoms, fearing alerting Guerriau, before eventually managing to leave and take a taxi. "I think about my children, I call my colleague, I tell him that I'm going to die," she testified through tears.
Lasting Psychological and Physical Trauma
Blood tests later revealed Josso had ingested MDMA at levels far exceeding typical recreational use. She detailed extensive ongoing trauma including:
- Severe sleep disorders and difficulty eating
- Panic attacks on trains and in stairways
- Intense stress causing teeth grinding so severe several teeth required removal
"I want the truth to come out. It's important to me," Josso emphasized to the court, highlighting the case's significance beyond her personal experience.
Prosecution Seeks Three-Year Prison Sentence
On the trial's second day, prosecutors requested Guerriau receive a three-year prison sentence with one year suspended for drugging Josso "with a sexual purpose." The case has resonated nationally, coming after the landmark Gisèle Pelicot drugging-and-rape case that turned its victim into a global icon fighting sexual violence.
Ex-Senator's Defense: "I'm Devastated"
Joël Guerriau, 68, who resigned as senator in October, admitted serving Josso a drink spiked with MDMA but maintains it was accidental. During hours of testimony on Monday, he often sounded vague and confused, citing depression and memory gaps about the events.
Guerriau presented an elaborate explanation, claiming another senator gave him MDMA powder months earlier which he never used. He said he put some in a glass intended for himself the evening before Josso's visit, changed his mind, set it aside, then mistakenly used the same glass to serve her champagne.
"I don't have the words. It's very serious," Guerriau told the court. "I'm devastated." He acknowledged what he called his "stupidity" and "ignorance" about drugs, presenting his resignation as a political decision unrelated to legal proceedings.
Contradictory Evidence Emerges
Investigators revealed Guerriau had searched online about ecstasy in connection with rape approximately one month before the incident. Guerriau claimed this research was part of his senatorial work to better understand the issue.
When questioned by his lawyer about sexual discussions that evening, Guerriau responded negatively. Pressed specifically about whether he intended to rape Josso, he emphatically stated: "No, no, no."
The trial continues as France grapples with increasing awareness of drug-facilitated crimes, with this high-profile case testing the judicial system's response to allegations involving powerful political figures.
