Deploring that Marco Rodrigue tried to attack “the State” by shooting police officer Catherine Giroux, the public prosecutor is calling for a sentence of up to 18 years for the offender “who had no consideration for the no one in uniform. The defense suggests nine years.
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Me Annik Harbor pleaded for the imposition of a severe sentence since, according to her, on August 18, 2021, Marco Rodrigue “attacked the structure of a civilized society”.
“Mr. Rodrigue attacked a peace officer who only wanted to protect the public by wearing a uniform,” insisted the crown prosecutor.
The latter submitted to judge Louis Dionne that the sentence should in no case fall below 15 years.
The use of two unregistered firearms with which the accused traveled with impunity in his vehicle requires, according to the public prosecutor, serious disapproval.
Remember that Rodrigue fired twice at Catherine Giroux’s patrol car on August 18, 2021 after a routine interception for speeding.
During interrogation, the person who was against the authorities explained that he feared “having his car stolen” by the government as it was not registered.
Evidence filed in court
Nine years in defense
In defense, Samuel Cozak submitted to the judge a sentence of nine years of imprisonment.
Me Samuel Cozak, lawyer for Marco Rodrigue, at the Saint-Joseph-de-Beauce courthouse on November 13, 2024.
Pierre-Paul Biron – Journal de Québec
According to the offender’s lawyer, Rodrigue collaborated from the moment he was arrested and above all, he had no criminal record. Admitting that his first misstep was “not a small one,” Me Cozak pleaded that if the past was a guarantor of the future, “we will no longer have a problem with Marco Rodrigue”.
As for the gratuitous nature of the crime, the defense lawyer believes that it cannot be considered an aggravating factor since, according to him, this is not the case.
“If the gentleman says that he did not want to have his car stolen by the government, I am not saying that it is a good reason, but there is an explanation, it is not a gratuitous crime,” he said. raised Me Cozak.
Screenshot of a video submitted as evidence
Message from the police community
Judge Louis Dionne took the case under advisement and will deliver his decision next Thursday.
SQ captain Patrick Tremblay, former boss of Catherine Giroux, however had a message for the court during his testimony. Police officers everywhere have their eyes glued to the outcome of the Rodrigue case.
Captain Patrick Tremblay, Sûreté du Québec
Pierre-Paul Biron – Journal de Québec
“The police community is wondering for a deliberate, gratuitous gesture, to attack a police officer for no reason, what sentence will this person receive? And what a clear message we must send so that similar actions do not happen again,” remarked Mr. Tremblay, insisting that for him, “the accused had attacked the justice system.”
Given the pre-trial detention served since his arrest, almost five years will have to be subtracted from the sentence imposed on Marco Rodrigue.
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