At the Sherbrooke trial of Kevin Sanders, charged with the first degree murder of Joël Mailhot in August 2020 at the Urbaine tavern, prosecutors completed their evidence this morning with testimony from coroner Caroline Tanguay.
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The pathologist who performed Joël Mailhot’s autopsy came to list the many injuries suffered by the victim. The essence of his testimony can be summarized as follows: An incalculable number of fractures in the face and head led to death.
Joël Mailhot died of blunt head trauma as a result of 18 punches and four kicks inflicted by defendant Kevin Sanders, who is pictured leaving the Urban Tavern after the attack.
Six impact zones of the punches were identified:
– at the level of the forehead, the eye and the cheek on the right side
– on the left forehead, eye and cheek
– To the mouth
All of the 51-year-old victim’s facial bones were fractured to the base of his skull, Dr. Caroline Tanguay out.
chaotic course
Kevin Sanders has been the subject of six separate reviews as of December 2020.
The 28-year-old stayed at the Philippe Pinel Institute for Forensic Psychiatry three times, once in spring 2022 on the order of treatment.
On the eve of his trial earlier this month, the question of his fitness was raised again.
His lawyers claimed that it was difficult, if not impossible, for them to reason with him to guide his defense.
In the last psychiatric report of March 13, psychiatrist Kim Bédard-Charette emphasizes that “his states of silence appear voluntary and selective, that Herr chooses the interlocutors with whom he speaks. »
“He knows the allegations against him […] and is able to assess its seriousness and understand its consequences. »
Today Kevin Sanders wore a blue sleeveless prison tank top in court.
Judge Charles Ouellet, who is presiding over the trial, asked the six men and five women on the jury not to draw any conclusions or consider their clothing.
Before the jury, the 28-year-old defendant remained completely silent and refused to answer the judge if he offered a defense.
The prosecution’s arguments are due tomorrow, after which the 11 jurors must retire while they deliberate.