Murder of an unknown woman in the middle of a shopping center: the trial of a former major baseball prospect is further postponed

More than three years after the murder of a woman in a Saint-Hyacinthe shopping center, the trial of a former major baseball prospect was again postponed at the last minute after it became disorganized in full courtroom.

“We are not going to be able to put an end to this chapter. It’s discouraging to always submit the file again and again,” confides Yves Boulay, the spouse of the victim, Manon Savoie.

This fall, the farmer hurried to finish the work in his fields to be able to attend the jury trial of Marc-André Houle, which was to begin Monday at the Saint-Hyacinthe courthouse.

“We were happy, it was finally happening,” adds Mr. Boulay

More delays

Remember that Houle, 46, is accused of the premeditated murder of Manon Savoie, a sixty-year-old woman he did not know, in a shopping center.

On that day in August 2021, the mother who was soon to retire was simply going to have her watch battery replaced in a jewelry store when she was stabbed to death.

Marc-André Houle also faces charges of attempted murder, assault with a weapon, theft of a vehicle and fleeing.

For the second time since the start of the proceedings, his trial which was to begin was finally postponed. A first trial scheduled for last January was postponed because expert opinions were not ready.

“It’s annoying. This is one of the worst cases and it still hasn’t been resolved. I don’t understand,” said Yves Boulay.

“It’s dragging. When are we going to get justice?” said Marie-Ange Chicoine, the victim’s mother, with discouragement.

Insults and threats

This time the question of the fitness of the accused was raised. The former major league baseball prospect became disorganized in full court. He suddenly became aggressive and notably launched insults and threats.

After a psychiatric evaluation, however, the court concluded that Houle is still fit to stand trial despite his behavior.

To add to the delays, his lawyer, M^e Fannie Lacroix, filed a motion to cease representing him, which was accepted by the court. Marc-André Houle will therefore have to find new lawyers for the continuation of the legal proceedings.

He was already a baseball star in Quebec, which even led to him being drafted by the Baltimore Orioles. Hope then experienced a brutal descent into hell, falling into drugs and living on the streets for many years.