The Crown did not file its evidence against these men who had been arrested at Cabaret Chez Elle in April 2023. In exchange, Gaétan David, Serge Pinard, Jonathan Hamel and Maxime Vallières-Côté signed an order preventing them from communicate with the complainant on file.
“The person who was targeted by the events still had reason to fear for their safety,” explains the criminal and penal prosecutor, Me Émilie Baril-Côté. We ensure the safety of this person for the next year. It’s forbidden [aux accusés] to communicate with him, with his family, to go to his home and to go to the Cabaret Chez Elle on rue Conseil.”
Is it common to settle this type of case with an order like this? “It’s not necessarily frequent,” replies Me Émilie Baril-Côté. Everything will depend on the circumstances of the case. We wanted to ensure the safety of the victim and ensure that such events do not happen again in bars. It’s a strong message that we’re sending.”
Effigy of the Hells Angels
Quebec Court judge Hélène Fabi also ordered the confiscation of objects bearing the image of the Hells Angels. “The Crown’s contention – and there has been no admission to this effect [de la défense] before the court – is that these goods are carried by the Hells Angels or by their supporters to commit offenses, intimidate and harass,” describes Me Baril-Côté.
The Crown lawyer specifies that for the moment, “we have no law in Quebec or in Canada prohibiting identification with a criminalized group, something that exists in other countries.”
Other accusations
Maxime Vallières-Côté faced 11 other charges on Monday. “Following his arrest, searches took place in the homes of these people. At his home, we found several weapons which he did not own,” indicates Me Baril-Côté. He is therefore accused of having stored three of these rifles in a negligent manner and of having had weapons without possessing the permit authorizing them.
Ghislain Vallières-Côté is the only person arrested during this event who did not settle his cases on Monday.
