A man jailed for 23 years for murdering his 19-year-old ex-girlfriend had his application rejected on Tuesday. He was impatient and sometimes even aggressive towards probation officers.
“I don’t know why I have to hold on. I’ve been ready to get out for 10 years, Chalice,” said Éric Néron in an aggressive tone to parole board officials who could have allowed him to regain his freedom on Tuesday.
“Your papers… I won’t say what I think about your papers. […] “You do not understand the reality in which I live,” the murderer continued, referring to the various reports documenting his behavior during 23 years in prison.
The now 43-year-old man, dressed in a blue sweater and with short, graying hair, himself admitted that he had little hope of being released soon.
“I know I won’t go out today and I still have 10 years ahead of me,” he said.
A cliff
Néron has been imprisoned since he killed his 19-year-old ex-girlfriend Joëlle Delage on July 7, 2000 in Saint-Louis-de-France, near Trois-Rivières, in Mauricie.
After their recent separation, Néron, then 20, had stalked the young woman the day before before arguing with her in a bar that evening.
Joëlle Delage, victim. archive
He then beat his ex-girlfriend in a forest. Then he pushed her, still alive, from the top of a cliff about two hundred feet high toward Saint-Maurice. She died there.
In 2001, the Cap-de-la-Madeleine resident pleaded guilty to premeditated murder. He received a life sentence with no chance of release for 14 years.
“I haven’t managed to stay stable because the world is angry with me,” Nero defended himself, explaining his numerous branch moves. I don’t want to hit anyone anymore. Test me! I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for 10 years. »
Danger of violence
For his part, the release agent André Lamoureux did not recommend his release, noting a lack of introspection on Néron’s part.
The latter would pose a “high” risk of violence if he entered into a marital relationship, according to a 2021 report.
Last May, the inmate also threatened suicide and attacked employees.
Nero, for his part, swears that he has changed and has no desire for revenge.
“I was young. I thought I was someone else. It was difficult for me to accept this separation. Joëlle was the woman of my life. It hurts me what happened,” he said.
“I know it’s too much to ask, but I feel sick. “I want to go home,” Nero sobbed, growing emotional as he worked out his exit plan. It’s a nightmare that happened. This has been going on for 24 years. I want it to stop. I don’t see the end. I know I face 30 years in prison. »
Wasted lives
However, Nero eventually admitted to the commissioners that he was impulsive and dangerous. “I’m getting older again and I’ll work on that,” he concluded.
It didn’t take long for the commissioners to make their decision.
“We think the step is too high. “From the beginning of the hearing, we sensed your aggressiveness and your hostility,” Commissioner Francine Cantin said. You have to get to work. We hope for progress. »
In addition, Joëlle’s aunt described in detail the diverse impact that her niece’s death had on her and those close to her, including the only young girl’s two parents.
“You ruined his parents’ and friends’ lives forever,” she said. I can only shudder at the thought that Éric Néron could possibly be released from prison. »
Néron, who already had a history of assault, could have applied for release nine years ago. However, he had never done it today.
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