The man accused of the murder of Saguenéan Victor Masson in Mexico on May 15, 2023 was found guilty by Mexican authorities, the victim’s family confirmed.
“Yes, the hearing ended around 10 p.m. Monday evening. There was a 24-hour deadline and we had a Zoom meeting for the verdict. We are now waiting for the continuation of the procedures next week to know the severity of the sentence,” explained William Masson, the brother of the deceased.
Mario Omar Sanguinez Lopez could receive 12 to 25 years in prison.
The family says they are relieved, but mistrust is still present.
On hold
“We didn’t expect much, but we also had a little hope. My brother is no longer here and we have to live with the repercussions. We are happy to see a certain justice, but he can always appeal,” adds Mr. Masson, who went there after the murder with another of his brothers.
The Attorney General of the State of Oaxaca announced the arrest of the suspect on the X network at the end of May 2023.
The legal process was painful and complex for the family.
Victor Masson, 27, was murdered as he left a bar while on vacation in Puerto Escondido with his partner of Mexican origin, Eiva Castillo.
Four people, who were in the same bar as the Quebecer, grabbed his belongings before fleeing on a motorcycle.
While in pursuit at the wheel of a car, Victor Masson called 911 to report a theft on two occasions. He then allegedly hit the motorcycle.
Once outside his vehicle, an altercation allegedly took place before he was hit with two firearm projectiles, around 1:45 a.m.
Witness killed
The main witness to the events was then killed and the lack of evidence made relatives fear the worst.
The local lawyer hired by the Masson clan and the family of his younger brother’s ex-wife both dropped the case, for fear of reprisals.
“This incident cost two lives,” specifies William Masson.
The latter also has no intention of returning to Mexico in the coming years. For 18 months, stress has been high on the Masson family.
“We were strongly recommended not to go there. It can be dangerous for us. We always think it only happens to other people. It can happen even to someone who wasn’t necessarily in organized crime. There are other, safer places to see elsewhere. It was a very emotional day for my mother,” he concludes.
