Jorgens Charles, accused in particular of sexual assault, kidnapping, harassment and assault, refused the agreement that his lawyer and the Crown prosecutor had concluded.
The defendant’s lawyer, Me Véronique Talbot, therefore presented to the court a request to cease representing Jorgens Charles because of a breach of trust between her and her client, Tuesday at the Rouyn-Noranda courthouse. Judge Hubert Couture accepted the request.
The 20-something individual said he was willing to accept the deal, but declined it because he wants increased credit for the time he spent in quarantine during his transfers from detention centres.
Since the conditions of detention can be more difficult during quarantine, Jorgens Charles would have liked to be credited with more days served. So far, he has served 722 days in detention.
An offer that won’t come back, an exasperated judge
The Crown prosecutor, Me Émilie Larose, pointed out to the judge that a lot of discussions took place in this file. The offer made by the public prosecutor to Jorgens Charles had gone down considerably and this offer will not return, added Me Larose.
In addition, a victim was present in court to testify, but was unable to do so since the case was postponed to July 25. The accused must find a new lawyer by this date.
Moreover, Judge Couture requires the physical presence of Jorgens Charles and his Creole interpreter at the Rouyn-Noranda courthouse. They are currently attending the hearings via videoconference, as both are in Montreal.
Judge Couture, exasperated by the connection problems and the shamblesrequires their presence because I find it currently unacceptablehe expressed.
Source: Radio-Canada
