Man pleads guilty to manslaughter in death of wife
Pascal Arseneault was in toxic psychosis when he stabbed his wife in the night of March 31, 2022.
Pascal Arseneault pleaded guilty Tuesday at the Saint-Jérôme courthouse to a case that took place in the couple's family home in the Laurentians last year. (File photo)
Pascal Arseneault pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Tuesday for the death of his spouse, Louise Avon, which occurred in March 2022 in Sainte-Agathe -des-Monts, in the Laurentians.
The body of Louise Avon had been discovered by the police in the rubble of the couple's house, which had been set on fire. She had been stabbed to death.
Following the arrest of Mr. Arseneault, the court ordered that he be assessed on his fitness to undergo a trial. The suspect had serious mental health and drug use issues, factors which made the last six months leading up to the tragedy particularly difficult for the couple.
[Today's verdict] results from the evidence obtained by the Crown on [the accused's] mental state and [his] intoxication, said Mr. Alexandre Dubois, who was representing the Crown in this case.
It was a multifaceted case. These are elements that weighed in the balance and that allowed us to demonstrate his intention to kill, he added when he left the court.
His drug use does not excuse his action, those close to Ms Avon have said. Mr. Arseneault used large amounts of crack.
The police had intervened several times over the past few months, as the man had a serious history of mental health.< /p>
The Crown and defense have made a joint recommendation of 8 years imprisonment in this case. The judge's decision will be known on May 31.
Ms. Avon was kind and bubbly, remembering her family in a letter read to the judge during the proceedings. Those close to her added that the 64-year-old wanted to end this relationship that had become dangerous, but that she was having difficulty leaving her partner.
In another letter read in court, Mr. Arseneault offered his condolences to Ms. Avon's family. He also assured that he had never hit her before the last six months.
Based on information from Gabrielle Proulx.
