The fall of a juror who was going to the Gouin Judicial Services Center to listen to the continuation of the cross-examination of one of the accused forced the cancellation of the work on Friday.
Superior Court Judge Éric Downs, presiding over the trial of Marie-Josée Viau and Guy Dion accused of plotting and participating in the murders of Vincenzo and Giuseppe Falduto, committed on their property in Saint-Jude on June 30, 2016 , announced it to other jurors on Friday morning.
“A juror was injured when he arrived at the Gouin Judicial Center and he must receive the required care. Work will resume on Monday, September 20, ”said the magistrate.
But the work will be short-lived next week, as one of the defense lawyers, Ms.e Mylène Lareau, asked and obtained that the trial not proceed for four days, because of the preparation and representations she must make before the Court of Appeal.
“The Court of Appeal takes precedence over the Superior Court, because it sits with three judges according to a pre-established schedule,” explained Judge Downs, always a great educator during his interventions with the jury.
The trial will therefore take a break next Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
In late August, the trial was suspended for two days after a jury member tested positive for COVID-19.
Recall that the trial, which began with a jury of 14 people, has been taking place with 12 jurors for a few weeks.
We are at the end of the cross-examination of Guy Dion by the prosecution.
Thursday, the day was marked by a close questioning of Guy Dion by prosecutor Me Isabelle Poulin, from the Bureau of Serious Crime and Special Affairs.
To reach Daniel Renaud, dial 514 285-7000, extension 4918, write to drenaud@lapresse.ca or write to the postal address of Press.