Is Marlon Francisco Villa-Guzman, an informer providing incriminating testimony for three alleged killers, trustworthy? Did he plead guilty to manslaughter just to avoid life in prison? These questions are at the heart of the defense’s pleadings in the trial of the triple homicide that occurred in Rivière-des-Prairies three years ago.
Posted at 5:16 p.m.
“He is a liar, and an intelligent liar”, who “victimizes himself” and blames everything on others: the defense lawyer, Me Marc Labelle, did not go out of his way to discredit Mr. Villa-Guzman during his pleadings in the trial of Clifford Domerchant-Barosy, Jonas Castor and Stevenson Choute.
They are accused of having killed Jerry Willer Jean-Baptiste, Jefferson Syla and Molière Dantes in a shooting that occurred in Rivière-des-Prairies in 2021 on Perras Boulevard.
Me Labelle, who defends Mr. Domerchant-Barosy, urged the jury to be wary of Marlon Francisco Villa Guzman. The latter was driving one of the two vehicles involved in the event. He has since collaborated with authorities and even testified against his co-defendants. He pleaded guilty before trial to manslaughter charges and received a 10-year sentence.
The defense says he is ready to lie to achieve his goals: to be quickly released even though he risked life in prison at the time of his arrest. “His hope is to get out after serving two years in prison, out of the six [ans] that remain to him,” concluded M.e Labelle Wednesday morning.
Reread the testimonies of Marlon-Francisco Villa-Guzman
Read the article “The informer almost broke down in court”
No intent to kill, defenses say
Clifford Domerchant-Barosy addressed the jury last month. He explained that he had gone to Boulevard Perras – armed – because of a drug transaction with new clients. The latter then allegedly suggested to him on the spot that he go and scare “people”, which he accepted without asking too many questions.
He said he did not intend to hurt anyone during the fatal shooting.
“He is more of a drug trafficker than an assassin […] He says he deliberately aimed at the front door and that is precisely where the shell casings are found,” pleaded Mr.e Labelle about her client.
Nothing indicates that these murders were premeditated, insisted in their pleadings Me Labelle and Me Patrick Davis, who defends Jonas Castor.
The evidence suggests rather the opposite, according to the defense: some of the suspects exchange messages, call each other on the phone and do not appear to have any escape plan.
If he went out and killed people, do you seriously think he’s going to call Villa-Guzman? What would be the benefit to him of doing this?
Me Marc Labelle, lawyer for Clifford Domerchant-Barosy
Reread the testimony of Clifford Domerchant-Barosy
“Appearances can be deceiving,” M. told the jury straight away.e Davis. His client was the driver of the second car involved in the shooting, according to the Crown’s theory.
“It’s not because we drive that we know the intention of the shooters,” however suggested Mr.e Davis.
There is no evidence that Jonas Castor helped orchestrate the murders or knew of a plan, he told the jury.
The pleadings will continue Thursday in this trial presided over by Judge Alexandre Boucher. The jury is expected to begin its deliberations next Monday.
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