“When I went to the cemetery to say a final goodbye, I really realized that I would never see them again.” Sylvie Guertin, the victim’s mother, spoke during observations on the sentence of Mohamad Al Ballouz on December 18.
The man who presents himself as a woman and who now calls himself Levana Ballouz was found guilty of the premeditated murder of his children Eliam and Zak, the unpremeditated murder of his partner Synthia Bussière and arson on December 16, at the end of a jury trial that lasted five weeks.
Ms. Guertin shared in court the pain she felt in the days following the murder of her daughter and two grandsons.
“I do not have the words to express the repercussions that the actions of Mohamad Al Ballouz had on my life and that of my family,” she confided. The pain that inhabited me is indescribable. I remember the cries of pain that came from my daughter Tania’s body when she learned that her sister had died.”
She described not being able to stop crying. She couldn’t sleep, her concentration was affected and she felt helpless.
“The feeling of fear invaded me when thinking of the actions that Mohamad Al Ballouz made on my daughter,” she denounced. It still bothers me.”
Judge Eric Downs expressed compassion for Ms. Guertin, thanked her for sharing her emotions and wished her peace.
Twelve impact statements from relatives of Synthia Bussière and first responders were submitted to the judge.
“The aggravating factors are the trauma and psychological after-effects suffered by the family, loved ones and first responders,” said Mr. Eric Nadeau, Crown prosecutor. Not only on their personal well-being, but also in their family life and professionally.”
Levana Ballouz received a life sentence for the premeditated murder of her children and will not be able to apply for parole for 25 years. For the charge of unpremeditated murder of Synthia Bussière, the Crown suggests between 18 and 22 years, but given the guilt over the premeditated murder of her children, the sentences are concurrent.
“He may have succeeded in taking my daughter and my grandchildren out of my life, but he will never succeed in taking away the memories I have of them.”
-Sylvie Guertin
