Pascal Martel, who is accused of, among other things, insulting the body of Florent Dumas, remains in prison. Back in court at the Trois-Rivières courthouse, he abandoned his release investigation, to the great relief of the victim’s family.
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Recall that six new charges were added to Martel’s file last month, including criminal negligence resulting in death, armed assault, forcible detention and forcing Florent Dumas to commit an act of bestiality. “It would have been unthinkable for me to release him. To tell you that there, you would have seen me angry, ”assured Florent’s brother Michel Dumas.
The other relatives of Florent Dumas’ family and Pascal Martel’s ex-spouses were also relieved and reassured.
Crown prosecutor Me Benoît Larouche was not too surprised by the decision of the defendant’s counsel. “Based on the evidence I had already given him several months ago, he made a decision that I would say he had to make under the circumstances.”
“Knowing that there is still solid evidence gave us peace of mind,” said one of Florent Dumas’s family relatives, Michelle Manseau.
The next step for Pascal Martel will be investigation. It should last two days, the date will be set on Wednesday. However, if the lawsuit prefers an earlier date, it could not take place until July.
“It’s better that it takes longer and they really have all the evidence. Basically, it’s better than going too fast,” admitted an ex-wife of the defendant, Nathalie Provencher.
Florent Dumas’s loved ones and Pascal Martel’s ex-spouses intend to be present for the remainder, despite any emotional distress this poses for them.
“It’s never going to be easy until it’s over, but I’ve got to live it if I’m ever going to put it behind me. There will never be anything in the world to ease the pain I feel for losing my brother and what he endured there. He would reach 50 years, that will never satisfy me,” replied Mr. Dumas.
As for Jason Martel, who is charged with contempt for a corpse and criminal negligence resulting in death, his appearance was delayed until February 1 because the defense had not yet been presented with additional evidence in his case file.