The man who allegedly threatened to kill Prime Ministers François Legault and Justin Trudeau will not leave prison as he awaits trial.
• Also read: Threats against Trudeau and Legault: Prosecutors want defendant to remain in custody
• Also read: Threats against Prime Minister: 6 new accusations against Germain Lemay
• Also read: Injured by shooting a police officer: The suspect appeared on Thursday
The judge ruled that public safety would be better if Germain Lemay remained incarcerated. The person, who lives in Hampden, near Scotstown in Estrie, is also accused of pointing a firearm in the direction of police officers trying to arrest him.
Germain Lemay didn’t flinch or react when the judge explained why he was holding him.
“The words used and the tone are serious,” emphasized judge Paul Dunnigan, referring to the 19 videos broadcast on TikTok.
In his publications, he, who goes by the pseudonym Freedom Fighter, makes conspiratorial, hateful speeches against the two prime ministers and even goes so far as to incite the population to revolt against governments and institutions.
Germain Lemay was arrested at his home on Victoria Road, Hampden, on September 27, where he was shot in the arm by police because he was allegedly armed.
The 30-year-old is accused not only of carrying a weapon for dangerous purposes, but also of making threats to cause death or harm to the two prime ministers and “any police officer who might be present at his home,” and against “a CNESST agent.”
“The defendant’s profile, lifestyle and state of mind are unlikely to be reassuring,” Judge Paul Dunnigan added.
Without a criminal record, Germain Lemay now has to wait behind bars for his trial, his lawyer regrets.
“Given the current state of affairs in Sherbrooke we are not in a position to schedule a two-day trial, it may take a year. So would a well-informed public have thought it prudent to continue to detain a person when they are presumed innocent? Michel Dussault asked me.
He could appeal this decision at any time and request a review of his detention order.
His case will be heard in court again on Tuesday.
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