An electrical wiring theft took a tragic turn when a Laval resident who allegedly caught a recently released thief in the act was killed by him.
“When I heard the news I was stunned, I couldn’t believe it,” said Jean-François Joly, the victim’s cousin.
Pierre-Étienne Joly, 43, was found dead on his property on Sainte-Rose Boulevard on November 29 by employees of a tree trimming company.
According to the Laval Police Service (SPL), a suspect broke into his house to steal metals. Mr Joly is said to have caught him in the act.
“There was then an argument between the two people, which unfortunately ended with the death of the victim,” said a police press release.
When Jean-François Joly went to his cousin's house after the tragedy, he noticed that electrical wires had been cut. These are usually stolen for the copper found there, which can be resold at a high price.
Pierre-Étienne Joly worked in trucking and excavation work in the family complex, which included a house and various garages. He also looked after his father, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease.
“He was so generous and had a good heart,” his cousin and friend said in an interview with Le Journal.
Backsliding
A week later, the SPL arrested 44-year-old Sylvain Duchesne. The Terrebonne resident was charged with manslaughter at the Laval courthouse and is being held pending further court proceedings.
Sylvain Duchesne, 44, appeared at the Laval courthouse last Monday. Photo provided by the Laval Police Department
The defendant was sentenced to one year in prison last May for burglary of a residential building and drug possession. However, due to preventive detention, he only had 200 days left.
He is therefore said to have committed the crime a week before the end of his sentence while he was still on probation.
The Terrebonne resident had been convicted of various petty crimes in the past, including assault, mischief and making death threats.
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