Murder in Cacouna: Steve Chassé’s preliminary investigation canceled

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The preliminary investigation of Steve Chassé, accused of the premeditated murder of Pierre Bélisle, which was to take place next week, is canceled. Five days had been set aside for this stage of the legal process.

The lawyers on file, Maître Annie Landreville of the Directorate of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions and Félix-Antoine Doyon for the accused are awaiting a date for a hearing before a Superior Court judge.

However, it is impossible for the crown prosecutor, Maître Annie Landreville, to explain to us the reasons which led the lawyers to make this decision.

We have discussions, Master Doyon and I, but for the preliminary investigation scheduled for next week, all our witnesses have been withdrawn.

Steve Chassé faces eight charges, including charges of inciting hatred, premeditated murder and attempted murder of police officers. The facts with which he is accused allegedly took place between September 26 and October 12, 2023.

Before being arrested, Steve Chassé had barricaded himself in his apartment in the Place St-Georges residential complex off Route 132 in Cacouna for nearly 24 hours.

After his arrest, the accused was transferred to the Philippe-Pinel Institute of Forensic Psychiatry in Montreal to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. This assessment was received by the lawyers on August 20.