Drama of Amqui: around twenty witnesses for the preliminary investigation

Open in full screen mode

Steeve Gagnon, to his arrived at the Amqui courthouse for the start of his preliminary investigation.

• Marguerite Morin (View profile)Marguerite Morin
• Pierre Chapdelaine de Montvalon (View profile)Pierre Chapdelaine de Montvalon

Speech synthesis, based on artificial intelligence, makes it possible to generate spoken text from written text.

The preliminary investigation of the man accused in the case of the ram truck attack in Amqui, which occurred on March 13 last year, began Monday at Amqui courthouse.

Fourteen counts weigh against the alleged perpetrator of this attack, Steeve Gagnon.

The 39-year-old faces three counts of premeditated murder, nine counts of attempted murder and two counts of dangerous driving causing death.

During the hearing, the accused sighed several times and looked outside through the room window several times. He bit his nails and frowned on numerous occasions.

In the room, the emotion was palpable. Several people could not hold back their tears.

Steeve Gagnon is the man accused in the case of the ram truck attack that occurred in March 2023 in Amqui. (File photo)

The defendant's preliminary investigation was initially scheduled for September, but it was ultimately postponed to January.

Around twenty witnesses will be heard during the five days of hearings planned for this stage of the legal process.

LoadingCommon Front teachers will receive a 23.5% raise, on average

Common Front teachers will receive a 23.5% raise, on average< /h3>ELSE INFO: Common Front teachers will receive a 23.5% raise, on average

Usually, this step aims to determine whether the evidence is sufficient to proceed to trial.

But in this case, the defense admitted that there was enough evidence that' #x27;a trial takes place, indicates Mr. Simon Blanchette, criminal and penal prosecutor.

The defense still has the right to exercise its right to hold a preliminary investigation. In this case, it is rather an exploratory function on the part of the defense, which will ask to hear certain witnesses in order to be able to listen to their version, to test their version in order to possibly prepare for the trial, he explains.

The contents of a preliminary investigation are subject to a publication ban, which limits disclosure evidence presented during this stage of the legal process.

In the present case, the important thing is not to contaminate the group of jurors to be certain that we can be able to constitute an impartial and independent jury which is not aware of the evidence before the start. of the trial, explains the defense lawyer, Me Hugo Caissy.

On March 13, 2023, a van hit pedestrians who were traveling in downtown Amqui.

The tragedy cost the life of Gérald Charest and Jean Lafrenière, as well as Simon-Guillaume Bourget, who succumbed to his injuries in the following days. Eight other people were injured.

Open in full screen mode

The tragedy shook the little one community of Amqui. (Archive photo)

Steeve Gagnon surrendered himself to the police after the events and remains detained since that time.

At the end of the preliminary investigation hearings, there could be a trial before a judge and jury at the Rimouski courthouse, if the accused pleads not guilty.

With the collaboration of Martin Toulgoat

• Marguerite Morin (Consult the profile)Marguerite MorinFollow
• Pierre Chapdelaine de Montvalon (View profile)Pierre Chapdelaine de MontvalonFollow