(Longueuil) Mohamed Al Ballouz persists and signs his infamy: after stabbing his partner, murdering his two sons and posing as a victim, the trans murderer took advantage of her final platform on Wednesday to spit on Synthia Bussières and torment the mother of it in the worst possible way.
Posted at 12:34 p.m.
Updated at 1:07 p.m.
What you need to know
Mohamed Al Ballouz – who identifies as a woman – made “odious” and “defamatory” comments about his victim Synthia Bussières.
Relatives of Synthia Bussières, victim of femicide, paid tribute to her on Wednesday.
The judge will impose the sentence on Friday. It is already certain that life in prison awaits Al Ballouz for the murders of his wife and their two sons.
“I give you what [Synthia] would have really wanted to tell you, really. I respected [sa mère] more than Synthia did. It’s sincere. Synthia Bussières wanted her mother to die. She hated her to a very high point where…” declared the trans murderer before being cut off by judge Eric Downs.
The judge then prohibited him from speaking again because of the “defamatory and slanderous” comments contained in his letter.
“It remains the truth, Mr. Justice,” replied Al Ballouz.
His incendiary remarks sowed consternation in the crowded courtroom at the Longueuil courthouse.
Barely an hour earlier, Sylvie Guertin, the mother of Synthia Bussières, had paid tribute to her daughter. She had described the “indescribable” suffering that had inhabited her for two years.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
The mother and grandmother of the victims, Sylvie Guertin
“Your pain is immeasurable. You are extremely strong. You are a victim three times, and also a process that was very difficult. I wish you peace,” Judge Downs then told him, very compassionately.
“An extremely vulnerable and defenseless woman”
Mohamed Al Ballouz – who now identifies as a woman – was found guilty Monday of the second-degree murder of his partner and the premeditated murders of his sons Zac, 2, and Eliam, 5.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE FAMILY
Synthia Bussières with her two sons
Al Ballouz automatically receives life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years for the murders of his sons. However, his sentence for the murder of Synthia Bussières remains to be determined. Crown prosecutor Éric Nadeau is calling for a period of ineligibility of 18 to 22 years.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
The Crown prosecutor, Mr.e Éric Nadeau, who teamed up with Me Laurence Lamoureux
“We must forcefully denounce violence against women in the context of domestic violence. Synthia Bussières was an extremely vulnerable and defenseless woman,” argued M.e Nadeau.
Among the 23 stab wounds inflicted on Synthia Bussières, one blood-curdling wound: her mouth was cut a few centimeters at each end. An injury that is similar to the “Glasgow smile”, made famous by the character of the Joker.
During the trial, the accused seemed to take pleasure in tormenting the relatives of her victims. Thus, she summoned around twenty friends, colleagues and relatives of Synthia Bussières to testify in her defense, including Sylvie Guertin. At the start of the trial, the accused even tried to prevent Synthia’s mother from attending the trial.
Then, at the trial, Al Ballouz described Synthia Bussières as a murderer “who had lost her mind”. According to this version, it was Synthia who killed her children before orchestrating a Machiavellian plot to incriminate Al Ballouz and attempt to kill him.
A close friend of Synthia Bussières instead described her on Wednesday as a “wonderful woman with a heart of gold”.
“Everyone who had the honor of crossing her path felt the way she made us feel special. She was loyal to those she loved,” said Maria Odorisio, inviting the population to fight against violence against women.
“A very good mother”
When it was her turn to speak, Al Ballouz had the nerve to describe herself as a “very good mother.” In September 2022, the father coldly murdered his boys with a pillow while they were sleeping. Premeditated murders. That didn’t stop her on Wednesday from portraying herself as a “soccer mom” and a “tennis mom.”
Al Ballouz also insisted on his right to be in “harmony” with his gender identity. “I have the right to be me, to be a woman,” said the woman who changed her gender during the legal process.
Thus, she has been detained at the Leclerc women’s prison ever since. She also initiated legal procedures to change her gender identity and officially change her name to Levana Ballouz. It is likely in a women’s penitentiary that she will serve her life sentence.
The judge will make his decision Friday morning.
