A man who beat to death a stranger mistaken for a pedophile and who will have to give lectures in schools when he is released from prison has been refused parole because he still cannot manage his emotions .
“You underestimate the issues related to your social reintegration, particularly in terms of managing your emotions. The consequences of this incomplete management are major, since one person died,” notes the Quebec Parole Commission (CQLC) in its decision regarding Adam Jourdenais.
The 29-year-old man was sentenced to 18 months in prison last April for the involuntary homicide of Ronald Webb in a restaurant-bar in Richelieu in May 2022.
Ronald Webb, 65, died in a restaurant-bar in Richelieu on May 14, 2022.
Photo provided by OBITUARY CANADA
Jourdenais was eligible for parole at a third of his sentence, but this was refused because he represents “a risk of recidivism which is unacceptable for society”.
Beaten to death
On the evening of the tragedy, Ronald Webb, 65, approached the child of a co-accused, Sébastien Junior Vallée, who was also in the establishment.
Members of his group began calling him an “old pedophile.” Mr. Webb has no prior record in such matters.
Jourdenais and Vallée then chased him to the back of the parking lot, as he left the establishment.
Vallée struck a first blow in the direction of Mr. Webb. Then, Jourdenais punched him in the face, which knocked him to the ground. The retiree died from trauma caused by his fall.
Adam Jourdenais, who was heavily intoxicated at the time of the events, admitted during his assessment that “this violence is completely inappropriate and stems from a lack of judgment.”
No therapeutic work
Although he has been sober since this homicide, he has not undertaken any psychotherapy or programs related to these issues.
“There is no therapeutic work that has been done, and therefore, you do not have any real tool to reduce the risk of recurrence that you present,” mentioned the CQLC.
According to the evaluation officer, the exit project presented “proves to be premature and devoid of support in relation to risk factors”. Details surrounding this plan were not revealed.
Upon his release from prison, Adam Jourdenais will have to perform 100 hours of community service. Judge Marc-André Gauthier proposed that these take the form of conferences aimed at raising people’s awareness of the possible consequences of the use of violence, particularly in secondary schools.
Sébastien Junior Vallée must stand trial for manslaughter next January at the Saint-Hyacinthe courthouse.
