Editing Néo-Phare (section)

== Trial and dissolution ==
Mussy was arrested 16 October 2002 and charged for "abuse of weakness" under the [[About–Picard law]]. He was held for 48 hours for questioning and forbidden by the court from having any contact with his followers.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=150}}{{sfn|Palmer|2008|pp=111–112}} {{Lang|fr|Néo-Phare}} was then dissolved; it had only existed for a year and a half.{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=112}} Mussy was released under [[Judicial supervision (France)|judicial supervision]].<ref name="LeNouvelObs2004">{{Cite news |date=2004-10-16 |title=Gourou de Neo-Phare : 30 mois de sursis requis |trans-title=Neo-Phare guru: 30-month suspended sentence requested |url=https://www.nouvelobs.com/societe/20041015.OBS9154/gourou-de-neo-phare-30-mois-de-sursis-requis.html |access-date=2024-09-21 |work=[[Le Nouvel Obs]] |location=Paris |language=fr-FR |issn=0029-4713}}</ref> His trial received significant media coverage.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=147}}

Mussy's trial was the test case for the About–Picard law. The law had been passed in May 2001 and was designed to prosecute cult leaders. It created a new [[misdemeanor]] in French law, abuse of weakness ({{Lang|fr|l'abus frauduleux de l'état d’ignorance ou de faiblesse}}), that was designed to account for the several ways that a charismatic leader could harm a follower through brainwashing. However, the law faced criticism for lacking objective criteria.{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=111}}{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=148}} The law also allowed private groups (ones that were deemed to be "of public utility" and had existed for at least five years) to initiate civil proceedings on behalf of a civil plaintiff, without that plaintiff's consent or knowledge, including in some cases where the plaintiffs in question do not want charges filed.{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=112}}{{sfn|Palmer|2011|pp=167–168}}

Under that provision, the French anti-cult group [[UNADFI]] prosecuted the case against Mussy on behalf of Trossais's parents, naming Trossais, Trossais's widow (an ex-member), and the couple as victims; none of the living victims appeared at trial.{{sfn|Palmer|2008|pp=112–113}} The prosecution, led by the UNADFI attorney Jean-Michel Pesenti, called the psychiatrist [[Jean-Marie Abgrall]], the lead French cult brainwashing expert, as an expert witness. A local official for an anti-cult group also gave evidence.{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=112}} Mussy was defended by a court-appointed attorney, Fabrice Petit. Mussy only met with his attorney twice, as he felt it more important to write a book. He told journalists at the trial that he had decided not to retain a lawyer because he was being "tested by the heavens". Throughout the trial, he used his presence to broadcast his message.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=157}} He also maintained that he was Jesus.<ref name="LeParisien2005" /><ref name="LeTélégramme2005" />

The prosecution accused Mussy of causing Trossais's suicide by pressuring him and through "techniques of thought reform" that affected his judgment.{{sfn|Palmer|2008|pp=112–113}} Mussy's attorney argued that he was being used as a "guinea pig" to test the new law; he told the court that "One is asking you to be psychiatric magistrates. Neither you nor I have the competence to judge {{lang|fr|manipulation mentale}} [{{Translation|literal=yes|brainwashing}}]."{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=113}}{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=157}} Abgrall called Mussy "a master manipulator".{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=113}} He also compared the group to the Solar Temple, as both groups recorded their meetings and practiced [[Swinging (sexual practice)|swinging]].{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=164}} Mussy's attorney argued that the group's members were responsible adults, capable of free choice.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|pp=158, 166}} Trossais's sister said during the trial that Mussy had destroyed her brother, as he had the couple.<ref name="LeTélégramme2005" />

Mussy testified and argued that {{lang|fr|Néo-Phare}} was too poor, small, and careful to be a cult; the local cult official responded that that made the group even more dangerous because members would not realize they were joining a cult. Mussy further denied any involvement in Trossais's death or that he had planned any suicide.<ref name="LeParisien2005" />{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=158}} After Mussy testified, the judge said he seemed sincere; the local anti-cult official responded that his seeming sincere was further proof that he was a manipulator.{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=113}} The couple gave a [[Deposition (law)|deposition]], read out by the prosecutor in court, in which they denied having attempted suicide. They further said that Mussy had never attempted to influence them to do things they did not want to do. The prosecutor argued that the deposition showed that they were brainwashed victims in a psychologically impressionable mental state, and Abgrall said they suffered from [[Stockholm syndrome]].{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=113}}{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=167}}

On 14 October 2004, Mussy was found guilty of abuse of weakness.{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=113}} The public prosecutor requested a 30-month suspended sentence, with 6 months to be served, as well as that Mussy be banned from leading any group and that he undergo a 5-year socio-educational follow-up.<ref name="P.2005" /><ref name="LeNouvelObs2004" /> The judgement was adjourned until 25 November.<ref name="LeNouvelObs2004" /> The {{Ill|Rennes Court of Appeal|fr|Cour d'appel de Rennes}} declined to follow the prosecution's recommendation,<ref name="J.2005" /> sentencing Mussy to a three-year [[suspended prison sentence]] and a {{Euro|115,000}} fine to compensate the victims.{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=113}}<ref name="C.2005">{{Cite news |last=C. |first=A.A. |date=2005-07-13 |title=Prison avec sursis pour le gourou |trans-title=Suspended sentence for the guru |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/faits-divers/prison-avec-sursis-pour-le-gourou-13-07-2005-2006121883.php |access-date=2024-09-21 |work=[[Le Parisien]] |issn=0767-3558}}</ref> Mussy appealed the sentence, but it was upheld 6 June 2005.{{sfn|Palmer|2011|p=150}}{{sfn|Palmer|2008|p=113}}