The trial of Sébastien Deshaies and Geneviève Authier recently took place over four days, without ending, at the courthouse.
They are accused of having performed sexual gestures and touched two minors, in 2020 and in 2021.
The alleged victims were between 8 and 10 years old at the time. Mr. Deshaies allegedly committed two offenses and Ms. Authier, five. They allegedly acted together on One occasion.
The male accused allegedly demanded fellatio from one of the alleged victims. On another occasion, he allegedly inserted a bracelet into her buttocks.
Ms. Authier, for her part, would have focused, among other things, on the genitals of one of the complainants.
She faces two charges of sexual interference and two of sexual assault, while her partner at the time faces one charge of sexual interference and one of sexual assault.
The Granby courthouse (Jimmy Plante/The Voice of the East)
The plaintiffs testified accompanied by a service dog and from a room separate from the courtroom.
One of them admitted that he may have “dreamed” one of the alleged offenses. The defense also highlighted several contradictions in his testimony.
“No items”
Called to the stand for her defense on Wednesday, Geneviève Authier denied any criminal actions, both for herself and for the man from whom she is now seeking a divorce.
“I have no evidence that could lead Me to believe that Sébastien would do that,” declared the 42-year-old home care worker.
She also denied having asked any of the alleged victims to remain silent about the alleged offenses.
Mr. Deshaies, a 45-year-old factory employee, has not yet testified. Unlike his ex-partner, he is attending the trial from the prisoner’s box, because he is currently serving a three-year prison sentence for possession of child pornography.
Me Nathalie Roy defends him while Me Sophie Plouffe represents the interests of Ms. Authier.
Me Arianne Duval, from the Crown office in Granby. (Stéphane Champagne/La Voix de l’Est)
The inability to complete the trial within the four days allotted to this case in April will result in the filing of a motion for unreasonable delays, the defense indicated on Wednesday.
For the prosecution, Me Arianne Duval indicated to Judge Jean-Guillaume Blanchette, of the Court of Quebec, that she will have “arguments to make” regarding the question of deadlines.
The couple was arrested in 2022.
The parties are due to meet in court in May to plan further legal proceedings.
