Two Montrealers who brutally assaulted six people in half an hour are now risking being labeled criminals in a bid to control their risk of recidivism, which worries authorities.
“Criminal records since 2010 show a steady rate of crime, an inability to honor commitments and a propensity for violence,” Crown Attorney Alexis Dinelle wrote in his filings for Lentz Lowry Lapaix and Philippe Henri Nguene Nguene.
With kind approval
Lentz Lowry Lapaix, 27 years old. He has spent most of his adult life incarcerated for a variety of crimes, including violent crimes. A 2018 report said it was “difficult to believe in his reintegration potential at this point”. He was sentenced to two years in prison for hitting an inmate. Two homemade pickaxes, a mobile phone, two chargers, a SIM card and a saw were found in the cell he shared with a fellow inmate. Risk of violent recidivism was 76% after 5 years and 87% after 12 years. The results of this report indicate that he is at high risk of recidivism over an extended period of time.
A thorough investigation by Montreal Police was necessary to shed light on the disturbing events that took place on August 9, 2019.
Both men were handcuffed after their identification. Lapaix also had a loaded firearm in his possession during his arrest.
CCTV footage released that evening shows Lapaix and Nguene Nguene openly assaulting several people they happened to encounter in the bar area on Montreal’s Saint-Laurent Boulevard.
“The court first finds not only that during the scuffle the victim collapsed on the floor like a ‘rag doll’ and made no move to break his fall, but that once on the floor he did so without any reaction or gesture of defense , Beatings by the two defendants,” said Judge Nathalie Duchesneau in her September 2021 decision finding the defendant guilty.
Outrageous violence
The Journal was also able to see the images of incredible violence as the victim was kicked unrestrained in the head by the two individuals. Afterwards, Nguene Nguene is seen punching several people in the face who were trying to protect the sluggish man on the ground.
Good Samaritan under fire
After this event, the defendants still sought hostilities.
Nguene Nguene started insulting two young people, giving one of them a “big slap in the face”.
With kind approval
Philippe Henri Nguene Nguene, 27 years old. A 2015 report notes a history of significant violence and multiple assaults and robberies. From May 13, 2020 to July 14, 2022, he accumulated 18 disciplinary offenses in preventive detention. His psychiatric report gave him the highest category for criminal recidivism, putting him at the 92nd percentile, and according to one psychiatrist he is “significantly” more likely to reoffend than the average inmate.
A Good Samaritan not far from the scene of the crime intervened to protect her, but the accused was quickly joined by two of his friends who had come to defend him, including Lapaix.
The poor man was then beaten with punches and kicks.
The wife of this second victim, who witnessed the whole scene, reported that they aimed specifically at his head “like a soccer ball.”
“Blood is coming out of his ears, he’s unconscious, he’s restless, he’s snoring like a snore,” she said during her statement.
After this attack, which the judge described as “wild”, the man still has consequences today. He stayed in the hospital for more than four months, including 40 days in a coma. He suffered serious injuries and had to stay in a rehabilitation center.
The two defendants have still not received their sentences, while motions to have them placed as long-term offenders for a period of five years have yet to be discussed. They also want their pre-trial detention counted double instead of the usual one and a half.
♦ Labeling as a long-term offender is an exceptional measure which means that the accused must submit to post-custodial supervision.