Judge Éric Downs pronounced the sentence Friday at the Longueuil courthouse. The sentence concerns the second degree murder of Synthia Bussières, Ballouz's wife at the time of the facts.
Convictions for first-degree murder – which is the case for the deaths of the couple's two children – automatically carry a sentence of life in prison with no possibility of parole for 25 years. It remained to be determined the eligibility for parole for the second degree murder of Ms. Bussières, which could range from 10 to 25 years.
The jury had suggested a period of ineligibility of 21 years, while the Crown asked the judge for a sentence of 18 to 22 years. The Defense – Ballouz who was in charge of his own defense – had not made any recommendations.
If Judge Downs imposed a period of ineligibility of 21 years before having access to a request for parole for the murder of Synthia Bussières, it is the period of ineligibility of 25 years, linked to the murders of the children, which takes precedence.
Ballouz was therefore found guilty on December 16 of the second degree murder of his wife, Synthia Bussière, as well as the first degree murder of their two sons, aged 5 and 2 years old. Ballouz was also found guilty of arson after trying to set fire to the family apartment located in Brossard, on the South Shore of Montreal.
Concerning the fire, the Court imposes a prison sentence of four years. This sentence must be served concurrently, taking into account the life sentence imposed.
According to the Crown, the father stabbed his partner 23 times, then killed his two sons. The cause of death of the two boys has not been determined. Ballouz then cleaned the apartment and started a fire. She ultimately attempted to take her own life by ingesting windshield washer fluid.
“Narcissistic and manipulative”
In his judgment, Justice Downs noted certain aggravating factors in the choice of eligibility for parole, notably the violence of the acts – first responders had to receive psychological help after the discovery of the bodies, while they were confronted with “a scene of horror” – the damage caused to the families, including the victim’s mother and grandmother of the children, and the lack of remorse on Ballouz’s part.
“The murder of the victim is particularly brutal and the circumstances surrounding it demonstrate the sadistic character of the accused and her great danger.”
– Judge Éric Downs, in the judgment on the sentencing of Ballouz
Judge Eric Downs also described Ballouz as being “narcissistic and manipulative”.
“His personality, manipulative and histrionic, in no way allows for the medium or long term rehabilitation and reduction of the risk of recidivism.”
– Judge Éric Downs, in the judgment on the sentencing of Ballouz
“As for the presence of mitigating factors, the Court notes that they are almost non-existent, except that the accused, before the events, maintained a stable job and seemed to be an asset for the company,” also said. noted Justice Downs.
Once the sentence has been handed down, it is now up to the Correctional Service of Canada to evaluate Ballouz's file to determine where she will serve her sentence and whether it will be a penitentiary for men or women.
During the legal proceedings, Ballouz was incarcerated at the Institut Leclerc, a women's prison. Ballouz also submitted a request to be sent to the Joliette detention facility (for women).
With information from Kelly Greig, CTV News.
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