A man suffering from a psychotic disorder who allegedly killed his mother in her home Estrie had already committed acts of violence against him on Saturday evening during a crisis three years ago.
Carl Gauthier-Beauregard, 39, was charged Sunday afternoon with first-degree murder in the death of his mother, Danielle Beauregard.
The evening before, the police went to her home on Rue Principale Ouest in Sainte-Anne-de-la-Rochelle and discovered the 64-year-old victim there. The murder may have occurred several hours ago, as the indictment states that it occurred between Wednesday and Saturday.
Gauthier-Beauregard was arrested at the scene by the Sûreté du Québec (SQ).
“He screamed loudly. [Les policiers] told him to shut up. They told him to stop screaming because for me the whole village had to hear him,” said their neighbor Paul Arès, who saw the suspect being escorted by police.
Laurent Lavoie / JdeM
When the Journal stopped by on Sunday afternoon, vehicles from the SQ and the Laboratory of Legal Sciences and Forensic Medicine were still on site.
Not criminally responsible
Carl Gauthier-Beauregard had already attacked his mother in October 2020. However, he was not found criminally responsible for assaulting and threatening her.
Taken from Carloss Gauthier Beauregard’s Facebook page
While suffering from psychosis, Gauthier-Beauregard hit his mother in the head and shouted that he was “going to get a gun to shoot her,” according to Disorders Review Commission (CETM) reports consulted by Le Journal .
As a precautionary measure, 14 knives and a sword, two imitation weapons, a pellet gun with a telescope and an air pistol were subsequently confiscated.
In January 2021, the CETM concluded that, despite the contrary opinion of his treating psychiatrist, the defendant “posed a significant threat to public safety requiring legal supervision.”
The doctor stated back then that he “didn’t see any danger for the mother.”
“This is the first time that the defendant has experienced psychosis and adopted such behavior towards his mother, which he recognizes and regrets,” it reads.
No medication
Gauthier-Beauregard was then released on conditions and returned to his mother. No medication was prescribed.
Then, in December 2021, the commission concluded that Carl Gauthier-Beauregard no longer posed a threat to the public and released him unconditionally.
“The offenses that brought him before the commission are isolated cases,” she said.
Carl Gauthier-Beauregard will return to the Granby Courthouse on Monday. According to our information, an assessment of his ability to perform could then be required.
-With Jonathan Tremblay
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