Francis Martel, who was accused of manslaughter and conspiracy after the facts of the murder of Ophelie Martin-Cyr, which took place in October 2018 in Yamachiche, was partially aware of his actions.
Before Judge Carl Thibault, Francis Martel pleaded guilty to accessory charges after the fact, a very serious case in which the maximum penalty under the Criminal Code is life imprisonment.
In exchange for his plea of guilt, which avoided holding lengthy and costly legal proceedings, the public prosecutor’s office agreed to announce the cessation of proceedings for the murder case.
This is part of the negotiation between the partiessaid Nektarios Tzortzinas, the deputy chief prosecutor for the office of the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DPCP) in Laval.
The judge then approved the joint proposal presented by the lawyers of the two parties by imposing a total sentence of 5 years and 10 months imprisonment.
This is the culmination of a long process. It’s been almost a year and a half since we started talking about it. We had to agree on the charge, on the facts … what was acceptable and what was not. After that, we need to examine what sentences were imposed in similar cases to come up with a suggestion. So yes, we have long wanted to get alongexplained Marc Labelle, Francis Martel’s lawyer.
Imprisoned since October 12, 2018, the 35 -year -old accused has already served 48 months in preventive detention.
He can therefore be released for 5 months and 15 days. Francis Martel must submit to a probationary period of 3 years. He will not be able to speak to anyone directly or indirectly involved in the matter.
Ophelie Martin Cyr’s father attended the sentence presentation.
Francis Martel, 35, has a long criminal record, some of which has been linked to drug trafficking.
His plea of guilt raises an important question in this case: will he now agree to testify at the late trial of alleged murderer René Kègle?
Source: Radio-Canada
