Zoé Boutin, accused of indignity to the corpse in the murder of Luc Lafontaine, received a 12-month suspended prison sentence in addition to having to complete 160 hours of community service.
Among the aggravating factors, Judge Serge Deslisle noted that Ms. Boutin knew that Luc Lafontaine’s death was not natural when she helped Nicolas Côté transport the bags containing the victim’s limbs. He also remembered that she had helped him dispose of the body.
For the mitigating factors, the judge indicated his young age, his collaboration with the police which led to the arrest of Nicolas Côté, his psychological fragility and his emotional dependence, his guilty plea, his sincere remorse expressed to the family of Luc Lafontaine, his lack of criminal record and his very low risk of recidivism.
Even if the mitigating factors were more numerous than the aggravating factors, the judge did not want to give a conditional discharge since the public would lose confidence in justice, according to him.
“The mistreatment of the remains is an affront to the family,” he said. Despite the night and the day of reflection after the murder, she did not disengage and prioritized the interests of Nicolas Côté.
Me Sylvie Villeneuve, who represented the public prosecutor, mentioned that Luc Lafontaine’s family was satisfied with the sentence handed down.
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Canada
