The appearance of sex offender Steven Laurette which took place Thursday morning at the Bathurst Courthouse was not easy.
The individual appeared before Judge Zoël R. Dionne of the Court of Bench in Bathurst, in order to debate in the company of the magistrate and the Crown the relevance or not for the authorities to keep under seal objects that had been seized in the part of the police investigation into the disappearance and presumed death of young Madison Roy-Boudreau.
Earlier in 2024, the man from Tetagouche-Sud, near Bathurst, requested from the court the return of these seized items and opposed the renewal of the property confiscation order.
The objects seized by the police which are at the heart of the dispute belong to Steven Laurette, his brother Jason, as well as his father Paul Laurette.
Judge Dionne recalled that the Court has the possibility under the Criminal Code to extend the duration of the seizure of objects as part of an investigation until further notice.
The atmosphere that reigned at the hearing which had just started quickly turned sour when the inmate suddenly raised his voice towards Judge Dionne and interrupted him.
Victim of several insults and offensive remarks, the magistrate ordered the expulsion of Steven Laurette from the accused box and the room.
The judge, however, later agreed to the individual’s return to the room if he behaved appropriately and avoided interrupting him at any time.
-During the hearing, Laurette announced her intention to speak to the media and hold - accountable.
Earlier in January, the public broadcaster obtained search warrants and other court documents related to the disappearance and presumed death of Madison Roy-Boudreau in May 2021 and revealed some of the content of these documents, which linked to the disappearance.
Steven Laurette described being harassed and attacked due to the disclosure by certain media of details of the legal proceedings concerning him.
At the request of Laurette and the Crown prosecutor, Me Yves Duguay, the proceedings were adjourned until May 21.
Paul Laurette, the father of the family, took part in the hearing by telephone. Represented by his son Jason due to his very precarious state of health, the man indicated that he was not keen on the return of the seized objects belonging to him and that he waived any appeal on this subject.
Steven Laurette, as well as Mr. Duguay, opposed the continuation of the discussions and requested an adjournment of the hearing, both judging that Mr. Laurette’s fragile state of health could prevent him from making a considered decision.
Steven Laurette remains incarcerated at the Dorchester federal penitentiary after being convicted in April 2023 of sexual assault on a 14-year-old girl as well as obstruction of justice and breach of condition.
