“Cancelled” after being denounced: guilty, an artist puts an end to his career

An emerging artist who sexually assaulted a partner after a night out at a bar has finally admitted his crime, but even though he got away with no criminal record, he can now put an end to his career.

“He had two passions: music and teaching. His plea will have significant consequences…”, said M^e Marie-Ève ​​D’Anjou of the defense, this Wednesday at the Montreal courthouse.

Sitting in the room, Julien Déry, 34, did not say a word when his lawyer explained that his career was now over, due to the sexual assault he committed in the summer of 2017.

That evening, Déry went out to a bar, where he met an acquaintance. At the end of the evening, the woman invited her to her home, where they had consensual sex.

Marked victim

Except that at one point, Déry decided to impose sodomy “without asking anything” from the woman, explained Mr. François Parent of the Crown. By doing so, he found himself committing a sexual assault and traumatizing his victim.

“This event severed the bond of trust with the men,” testified the complainant. Before, I was afraid of getting raped in the street. Since then, I have been afraid of being raped in my bed… It was quite a difficulty to overcome”

A police complaint ultimately led to charges last year. And quickly, the artist who had participated in the Francouvertes in 2018, and at the Quebec Summer Festival the following year, lost everything.

“His agents cut their ties with him, he lost all contracts, all his shows were canceled,” explained the defense.

A graduate in psychoeducation, Déry had started working in a school, but given his guilty plea, he will be “met soon”, according to his lawyer.

“He will be listed by his school board as an aggressor, he will lose his job,” said Mr.^e From Anjou.

Absolution

Déry can, however, console himself by saying that despite his crime, he will not have a criminal record since the parties have agreed that he will benefit from an absolution, conditional on three years’ probation and 240 hours of community service. .

This is a “lenient” sentence according to judge Mylène Grégoire. Except the victim had her say, and she agreed with the idea.

“The important thing for her was the conviction, and that he does work on himself,” explained Mr. Parent for the Crown. If she hadn’t been comfortable, we would have been on trial.”

The complainant’s wish was granted since Déry will have to have therapeutic follow-up both for drug addiction and for sexual attackers. His lawyer, however, stressed that he had already taken steps, which allowed him to “become aware and evolve”.