The preliminary investigation into one of the suspected killers of a young Moroccan student killed in Stoneham in August 2022 opened on Monday, revealing the real framework of the tragedy. The other defendant had already withdrawn from his investigation and the two men are being tried separately.
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In total, the Crown will call seven witnesses during this preliminary investigation, which must last five days. However, the contents of these depositions are subject to a non-publication order to avoid contamination of a potential jury.
Keven Prévost-Bouchard is taking part in the trial via videoconference from Roberval prison, where he has been detained since his arrest for another violent case. He was officially accused of Achraf Thimoumi’s murder while he was already in custody.
Achraf Thimoumi Courtesy of the photo
The Crown is presenting evidence from the investigation to Judge Rachel Gagnon this week. At the end of the preliminary investigation, the judge will decide whether to refer the case to the Supreme Court.
Relatives of the 20-year-old victim who live in Morocco attended Monday’s hearing virtually.
Separate attempts
Keven Prévost-Bouchard is accused in this case along with another man: Éric Guénette.
Photo credit: Taken from Éric Guénette’s Facebook
He has already given up his investigation. He applied to regain his freedom in spring 2023, but it was rejected.
It should be noted that the two co-defendants are being tried separately, which is unusual in cases of this type. Typically, co-defendants stand trial together in a case with the same witnesses, the same evidence, and the same facts.
The case of Éric Guénette, who is also accused of murder, must be heard again in court at the beginning of December.
Drug murder
Recall that the body of Achraf Thimoumi, a young student of Moroccan origin, was discovered by a passerby on a private road in the Stoneham area. He was lying in his car with life-threatening injuries.
Photo agency QMI, Marcel Tremblay
Area residents told the Journal in the days following the tragedy that they had heard gunshots in the moments before the body was discovered.
The Sûreté du Québec pointed out at the time that the murder of the 20-year-old young man could be linked to the drug world.
Photo agency QMI, Marc Vallieres
Prévost-Bouchard and Guénette were arrested three months after the events. The two men from Lac-Saint-Jean both have a criminal background.
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