More than three months after being kept detained due to a murder charge filed against her, Joanie Lepage was granted provisional release. Judge François Darfour accepted the request to allow him to reside with his parents under bail and conditions.
Ms. Lepage had been in preventive detention since August, when a charge of murder against the cryptocurrency influencer was filed against her.
The judge had to decide whether the detention of Ms. Lepage met one of the three reasons: ensuring the presence of the accused before the court, ensuring the protection and security of the public and ensuring public confidence in the administration of the justice.
“Consequently, and after weighing all the facts and factors, I am of the opinion that it is more probable than less that the detention of Ms. Lepage is not necessary to ensure the protection of the public and the administration of justice,” we can read in the 15-page judgment obtained by the newspaper Saint-Francois. A document subject to a publication ban because of the evidence it contains.
According to Me Patrick Davis, lawyer who represents Joanie Lepage, his client was relieved to hear Judge Darfour’s decision. She repeated “Yes, Mr. Judge,” twice while looking at the magistrate to confirm that she would respect the release conditions that would be imposed on her.
Despite everything, the murder charge stands. Charges of accessory after the fact and false imprisonment also remain on his file.
She will return to court on January 28, pro forma, since the evidence has not been fully disclosed.
The Crown is represented in this case by Me Hélène Langis and Me Patrick Cardinal.
Remember that in this story, two individuals, Darius Perry and Nackael Hickey, have since been arrested and charged with complicity in murder and kidnapping.
Guillaume Nobert, 36 years old from Saint-Lazare, is still wanted by the police for his involvement in this sordid story.
