As we learned this morning at the opening of the alleged shooter’s trial, a bullet-riddled elderly man in a Montreal Italian cafe was the sad victim of mistaken identity simply because he looked like a member of organized crime who was being targeted .
“It was an innocent victim sitting peacefully in a café bar,” Ms Katerine Brabant of the Crown told the jury in the Jeff Joubens Theus case.
Theus, 31, began his trial on Tuesday in connection with the murder of Angelo D’Onofrio, a senior citizen who was shot in cold blood on June 2, 2016.
As he drank his coffee, an assassin appeared and shot him several times before leaving the scene as quickly as he arrived.
Angelo D’Onofrio with his wife. Photo courtesy
However, according to the Crown’s theory, Mr. D’Onofrio was not the target of the shooter, who was looking for one Vanelli.
“Unfortunately, Mr D’Onofrio, who was not known to the police, may be similar to the target,” Mr Brabant explained.
Betrayed by his DNA
According to the prosecution’s theory, Theus was the shooter. And after he left the scene, he was allegedly helped by an accomplice, Ebamba Lufiau. However, a witness noted the license plate number of his vehicle as he fled.
Jeff Joubens Theus courtesy photo
“The license plate was stolen near the scene of the crime,” the Crown said.
The following night, the defendant allegedly attempted to burn incriminating items such as clothing and the stolen plate, but authorities recovered everything.
“The defendant and accomplice’s DNA was found on certain items,” he was told to the jury.
During the trial, which will last several weeks, the Crown wants to invite civilian witnesses, police officers and also experts. The jury will also have to look at the electronic wiretapping that would have made it possible to catch Theus.
The trial will be presided over by judge Hélène Di Salvo, while Me Élizabeth Ménard Theus is defending.
The latter pleaded not guilty to premeditated murder.
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