The relatives of a father who was brutally killed in an unprovoked attack at a bar in Estrie nearly three years ago have spoken out vehemently THURSDAY to the assassin in danger of languishing in prison for at least 14 years old.
“Even in death you will have disrespected Joël. You will never be a man. You deserve a crappy life at your peak,” Véronique Dufour, ex-wife of Joël Mailhot, dropped in the Sherbrooke courthouse.
“What I ask of our society is that this bomb, which can explode at any time, never again enjoy freedom and happiness at all,” she continued.
The hearing for the verdict of the murderer Kevin Sanders took place yesterday. Since the 28-year-old was found guilty of first degree murder by a jury last March, he has been sentenced to life in prison.
However, it remains up to the court to decide when Sanders, who has remained silent throughout the trial, can apply for parole.
Photo filed in court
The defendant, Kevin Sanders, shortly after the incident.
A time limit of 10 years is usually provided for this criminal offence. In this case, the lawsuit asked Sanders to wait four more years before attempting his exit.
“No motive. No existing relationship. No provocation between the two. “A totally unfounded, unjustified attack,” explained Crown Prosecutor Me Jean-Guillaume Blanchette, explaining some of the aggravating factors of the attack that took place on August 17, 2020 at La Taverne Urbaine, rue Alexandre, in Sherbrooke.
flurry of blows
That evening, Mr Mailhot, 51, was unlucky enough to sit next to Sanders at the bar.
Taken from Joël Mailhot’s Facebook
The victim, Joël Mailhot, 51 years old.
When the waitress signaled her intention to close early and call the police if he refused to leave, they threatened to attack the customer next to him. What he did.
In images captured by cameras, which are difficult to see, we can see Sanders grabbing his victim by the throat and strangling him. Mr. Mailhot tries to get rid of it by smashing his beer glass on his head. However, he is thrown to the ground.
Photo filed in court
Sanders grabbed his victim by the throat before throwing him to the ground.
The defendant pursues him by hitting him 18 times in the face and kicking him four times. Then he calmly leaves the place and kicks a chair.
Sanders was arrested later that evening, bleeding from his hands and face. Mr. Mailhot succumbed to his injuries a few days later.
In his opinion, the accused did not comment on the verdict yesterday.
Engraved Images
In addition, Mr. Mailhot’s father and children also went to court.
“The killer doesn’t seem to regret what he did. I think he deserves a severe punishment. “Losing a child is the worst thing a parent can experience,” his father Gerard Mailhot whispered.
“I want this man to stay indoors for as long as possible. By doing these acts, he imprinted images in our brains that will stay with us forever. [Et] He stopped me from saying one last time, “I love you dad,” said Ariane Mailhot, the daughter of the then 17-year-old victim, forcefully.
“My father made me what I am today. If I love sport so much and went to university, it’s thanks to him,” added his son Alexis, sad that his father couldn’t see his degree.
Judge Charles Ouellet will announce his decision next July.
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