A particular trial will begin Monday at the Longueuil courthouse, that of a father charged with the murders of his partner and his two young children, who now presents himself as a woman and who intends to defend himself alone.
On the night of September 24 and 25, 2022, Synthia Bussières and her 5 and 2 year old boys were found dead in their home in Brossard.
Mohamad Al Ballouz was arrested and then accused of the unpremeditated murder of his wife and the premeditated murders of their children.
Mohamad Al Ballouz, who now identifies as a woman.
Courtesy photo
“Please be advised that at the time of the facts and the accusations made, the accused was male. Currently, the accused presents herself as female,” Superior Court Judge Éric Downs informed the candidate jurors before jury selection, which took place Friday at the Longueuil courthouse.
He specified that the accused is incarcerated at the Leclerc detention establishment, a women’s prison.
Legal procedures to change his gender identity have also been undertaken, he said.
The accused now presents herself under the name Levana Ballouz.
Avoid preconceived ideas
The judge invited candidates to be wary of biases, stereotypes and prejudices that they could maintain “consciously or not”.
“As a society, each juror brings a diversity of beliefs, of preconceived ideas into the courtroom,” he said.
To ensure that the chosen jurors were capable of judging this case impartially, the magistrate wanted to ensure that they did not harbor prejudices related to transgender people. The candidates were also asked whether they were able to put aside preconceived ideas about the nature of the crimes with which the accused is accused.
Synthia Bussières, one of the victims. COURTESY family
Photo Courtesy (victims’ family)
To agree on a verdict, the selected jurors will have to base themselves solely on the evidence presented during the trial, and on the judge’s legal directives, he recalled.
Images perturbantes
Photos will also be filed as evidence, and some could be “disturbing or disturbing,” advised the magistrate.
In addition to the murder charges, Levana Ballouz is also charged with arson.
Furthermore, the accused chose to represent herself alone, so she does not benefit from the assistance of a lawyer.
A friend of the court, Me Harout Haladjian, was summoned to ensure the fairness of the trial. However, he does not have the mandate to strategically advise the accused.
The trial is scheduled for approximately six weeks. The Crown plans to call more than thirty witnesses.
The public prosecutor is represented by Me Éric Nadeau and Me Laurence Lamoureux.
