Alain Bellefeuille assured, during his testimony on Thursday, that he was convinced that he was the victim of a home robbery on May 11, 2023, and that he never wanted to kill Sergeant Eric Mueller. Nor did he know that he was pulling towards two other police officers who were injured.
On the 20th day of his trial at the Moving Palace, Alain Bellefeuille made the choice to testify for his defense. He would have been in his right to remain silent until the end of legal proceedings.
He is the first defense witness. The crown made 14 witnesses heard in 19 days.
It was one of his lawyers Biagio del Greco who led the interrogation, in French.
The 41 -year -old accused first detailed his day of May 10, 2023, where he worked as an entrepreneur under construction in a residence in the Orléans district, in Ottawa. After doing some commissions, he returned home, in Bourget, where he drank more than 10 consumption.
Alain Bellefeuille said that she had gone to bed around 2 a.m. on May 11, 2023, adding that he was falling asleep “immediately” because he was “very tired”. The proof has shown that the Ontario Provincial Police police (PPO) showed up at his residence at 2:30 a.m. to inquire about her well-being after a neighbor had composed 911 believing that she had heard a shot.
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This aerial view of Alain Bellefeuille’s house, showing its two vehicles as well as four PPO vehicles was deposited as a conviction during the trial. The photo was taken after the fatal shooting. (Archives photo)
Photo: The Upper Court of Justice of Ontario/PPO
Equipped with pocket lamps, Sergeant Eric Mueller and his colleague, agent Marc Lauzon, went around his house, cogging in particular in his window located at the back of his residence.
My dog swapped. It was bang on the back door. I saw lights of reflection. […] Immediately, I thought it was an intruder who was trying to smash my door. No one has announced or called
he said.
Joined by their colleague François Gamache-Asselin, the police finally decided to open the door of the house, who was gone.
During this time, I take my rifle, my SKS rifle, which is at the foot of my bed, and I decide to crouch me
recalls the accused who admitted to be aware that his rifle was not stored legal and securely.
Questioned to know why he had chosen to have a SKS rifle at hand, ready to be used, he answered this: For my protection and for the protection of my home. It is a large rifle, of large caliber. It has the potential to scare someone. It can make a pretty big bang and a lot of damage
replied the accused.
He also admitted that his charger, which contained around twenty cartridges, exceeded the permitted limit, which is five: It was to facilitate access to balls if necessary, in an emergency.
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The moose courthouse is one of the oldest courthouses in the whole province.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Frédéric Pepin
It is therefore with this rifle in his hands that he is crouching at the foot of his bed with the desire to be a target
.
I thought my life was in danger
he continued.
Alain Bellefeuille indicated, during his testimony, that he was not able to see who had just entered his house, saying that she was blinded by the police lamps.
Unfortunately, I did not hear when they shouted ” Police ”. I would have been relieved to hear it. I was in a panic. […] So I fired […] A dozen times, I think, if I trust the video [présentée en preuve grâce aux caméras corporelles des policiers].
After this fire dam, there is no shot for 27 seconds. What are you doing? What do you think?
to demandé the Criminalist Biagio Del Greco.
I was hoping that the threat had saved. There were shots in my direction. […] I think there is still someone armed at home. I feel vulnerable.
Alain Bellefeuille is accused of the first degree murder of Sergeant Eric Mueller, who was 42 years old. He also faced two counts of attempted murder towards the Marc Lauzon and François Gamache-Asselin agents.
This trial which takes place in front of jury is not intended to determine whether it is indeed Alain Bellefeuille who fired or not the shots towards the three police officers. They presented themselves at his residence to inquire about her well-being after a neighbor had composed 911 because she thought she had heard a gunshot.
The defense admitted him from the outset. The jury will be responsible for looking at the accused’s intentions, whether he knew he was shooting on police officers and if he was in a self -defense when he opened fire in their direction several times.
I see a police officer on the ground
A few moments later, Alain Bellefeuille takes three other shots before moving to the vestibule, he said. And it was at this moment, he says, that he realizes that the person extended to the ground is a police officer, the Sergeant Eric Mueller.
Immediately, I am in shock. I don’t understand what’s going on. […] I thought it was a nightmare. I was thinking of dying of a robbery, then I realized that I just pulled a police officer.
Throughout his testimony, the defense presented various extracts from the body camera of Sergeant Eric Mueller and the other police officers present.
The court therefore revised Alain Bellefeuille heading to the sergeant to tell him twice: You f–ked with the wrong motherf–ker, man
interspersed with a “that’s just what I have to say”.
Invited to explain this behavior, the accused admitted that he was Under the effect of panic
.
It was inappropriate to say that. I have great respect for the police and I don’t understand why I acted like that
he testified in court on Thursday.
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Alain Bellefeuille appears at the Moisson Justice Palace for the murder of Sergeant Eric Mueller in May 2023. (Archives photo)
Photo : Lauren Foster-MacLeod
Another video made it possible to review Alain Bellefeuille seizing the body camera of Sergeant Mueller, covering it with an object and drawing four other gunshots towards the vehicles parked in its entrance. The accused assured Thursday that he did not know that they were cars of the PPO.
After, I go back inside. I disarm and I decide to call 911. This is where I realized what happened and I had no reason to continue. I wanted to call 911 to try to save the police ‘life [Eric Mueller] who was seriously injured
.
I didn’t want him to die. […] I didn’t want to kill someone, especially not a police officer. He’s someone who possibly had a family.
On a few occasions during his testimony, Alain Bellefeuille showed signs of emotion. Some people in the room, whether relatives of the accused or victims, also wiped a few tears.
At the very end of his testimony, he reiterated that he did not know at all that he had opened fire on police officers. The accused said they lived with great remorse when he thinks of these events on May 11, 2023.
I have a big weight on my heart knowing that I am responsible for the death of Sergeant Mueller, and the injuries of Agent Lauzon. There is no word that I can say about evil and the regrets that I feel. […] Never mind [la conclusion] From this trial, my life will always be affected by what happened on May 11, 2023.
This is how his testimony ended. On Friday, it will be the crown prosecutors’ turn to contravene him.
Who was Alain Bellefeuille before May 11, 2023?
Born in Cornwall, he grew up with his parents, a brother and a sister. In mid-Vingta, he learned that he had the status of Aboriginal. He had earned his life in the world of construction for 20 years. Without training, he learned by himself.
I made renovations, painting, drywallI was laying ceramic floors [et] plumbing. […] The work was fine. I had several customers, contracts that paid well. I had a good reputation
he explained.
Outside the job, Alain Bellefeuille said he was in the process of moving. He had stored boxes in a trailer on a friend’s field.
Holding a possession and acquisition of weapons “since about 2010”, he mentioned that firearms are part of his life since a young age. His father and uncle taught him to hunt.
As an adult, he also practiced sports shooting until 2013, he recalls.
