A Montreal man accused of stalking his ex-partner before stabbing her to death in a parking lot had warned her that he would find her to kill her, according to the Crown’s theory presented this Thursday at the opening of the trial.
“I’m going to kill you, I’m going to stick a knife in your stomach and you’re going to die instantly,” Hosea Amorus Puhya allegedly warned his ex-partner, some time before taking action.
This crime, described as “horrible” by Me Jade Coderre of the Crown, occurred in September 2022 on rue des Oblats in Montreal. Except that according to the prosecution, in the preceding months, the 51-year-old alleged murderer began planning his crime.
Resentment
According to the evidence that the Crown plans to present at the trial, several months before the murder, the relationship between Puhya and his partner Gisèle Itale Betondi was “difficult”. In fact, as early as December 2021, the 28-year-old woman had expressed her desire for separation, but Puhya would have taken it very badly, especially since he had got it into his head that Ms. Betondi had cheated on him.
Hosea Amorus Puhya and Gisèle Itale Betondi
Photo taken from Facebook
“It led to resentment, especially since he lost custody of their three children,” Me Coderre explained to the jury this Thursday at the Montreal courthouse.
Shortly after, Puhya entered prison, for a breach of conditions case. But even though he was detained, Ms. Betondi feared for his safety, to the point where she moved to LaSalle in hopes of peace.
“But he found her, because that’s where he killed her,” said the prosecutor, explaining that Puhya would have used GPS tracking applications.
And a few days before the tragedy, Puhya allegedly called his ex-partner to reiterate death threats.
“He told her to come out of hiding and that the next time he saw her, he was going to kill her,” said Mr. Coderre. The conversation, which was recorded, sends shivers down your spine. »
Gisèle Itale Betondi
Photo taken from Facebook
Captured on camera
Puhya then allegedly scouted the location until the fateful day. Hiding in a bush, he waited for the woman to come out of her house. And once in the parking lot, he rushed at her to kill her by stabbing her. Seriously injured, Ms. Betondi managed to get up and run, but in vain, since she was pronounced dead a few hours later.
The murderer then fled, but quickly fell into the sights of the police. Because not only did a surveillance camera capture the entire scene, but a woman present on site spoke to the authorities.
Expert evidence will also be presented, including DNA analyzes and technological evidence. In total, the Crown plans to call 12 witnesses.
Puhya, who is defended by Mes Antonio Cabra and Vanessa Sadler, has pleaded not guilty to first degree murder. As is customary, he has not announced whether he will present a defense.
