“That night he made the decision not to be my brother anymore. He broke me. A Quebec woman who was raped by her own brother on the eve of a family anniversary bravely testified during the sentencing hearing of the person who “stole a part of herself” from her.
Myriam Veilleux no longer wants to be ashamed.
She doesn’t want to take the blame for her family’s implosion.
On the night of March 10th, 2018, it was his brother who destroyed his life and not the other way around, the victim emphasized on Thursday during the verdict questioning in the Michael Veilleux trial (see other text below). The 35-year-old was convicted of sexual assault almost exactly a year ago to the day.
Pierre-Paul Biron
Michael Veilleux was found guilty of sexually assaulting his sister, Myriam Veilleux. The assault happened on March 11, 2018 after a family birthday party. CREDIT: Acquired from Facebook
“I’m her sister. I am of the same blood as him. “It’s disgusting,” the victim testified confidently.
The Veilleux celebrated their father’s birthday on March 10, 2018. A festive evening as we see it in most families. But since that night, celebrations and gatherings mean only one thing to Myriam Veilleux.
“To me, that’s rape,” the woman said ponderously, leaving Judge Frank D’Amours to assess the crime’s impact on her life.
That evening, after dinner at a restaurant, the Veilleux family went to a bar. This is the last memory of the woman, originally from Saint-Georges but now living in Quebec. The day after that boozy evening, she comes to herself in a hotel room, partially undressed, with vomit in her mouth and no panties.
It is a forensic kit and in particular the analysis of the DNA found in her vagina, which makes it possible to identify whoever did her violence.
“He stole my dignity and left me to die.”
Since then, everything Myriam Veilleux knew has changed. His beliefs, his deepest values, were shaken.
“Family should be sacred. […] He robbed me of my confidence in men and even in all people, because if your brother can rape you, you tell yourself that anyone can,” said the woman, reading a letter she had prepared for his testimony.
And the rest of the family was obviously affected too. No clan, even if closely related, can survive such an event unscathed.
“He destroyed the family. He shared it. […] The family also has to mourn,” revealed the one who had to explain to her children what “Uncle Michael” had done to her.
As well as trying to rebuild, Myriam Veilleux is also dealing with the long legal delays in her case. Five years after the attack and a little over four years after the indictment, his crossroads is still not over.
Pierre-Paul Biron
“The day I was raped, a knife was planted in my back, and at every stage, at every respite, it was turned in every direction. […] I can’t imagine healing until the knife is removed,” the woman said, fighting back tears.
Every time she goes to court, at every doctor’s appointment, at every change of psychologist, she has to tell her story over and over again. Another drop was added to the ordeal at the Saint-Joseph-de-Beauce courthouse on Thursday.
“Today I go home another time and do it again like the first day. I go up the stairs, open the hoods and wash to try to get the dirt off of me.
Judge Frank D’Amours has been considering the case and is expected to deliver his sentencing verdict in early July.
Conviction Submissions
A prison sentence of six years was demanded against the attacker; The defense is asking for probation with community service
The public prosecutor’s office is demanding a severe six-year prison sentence for Michael Veilleux, since the brother-sister relationship and the resulting breach of trust speak for a maximum sentence.
“The victim could not only count on the protection of his brother, but not having him had disastrous consequences for his physical integrity, but also for his psychological integrity,” Crown Prosecutor Me Christian Gauthier told the judge the passing on of the contradictions in the testimony of the accused.
“The question will be: do you believe Mr Veilleux when he says he doesn’t remember,” said the prosecutor.
For her part, the defense attorney believes that detention is not necessary because of the impact the trial and media coverage have had on her already isolated client.
Michael Veilleux works, has financial obligations to his family and needs to be able to support them, the lawyer pleaded, proposing to the judge a three-year suspended sentence accompanied by community service.
“And if you come to the conclusion that jail time is necessary, Mr. Judge, it should be limited to 90 days so that it can be imposed occasionally and to continue contact with his daughter every other weekend,” said defense attorney Ich Dany Pratte.
When he does not dispute the DNA evidence proving his guilt, Michael Veilleux invokes “blackout” and claims to have no memory of the sad events that took place on the night of March 11, 2018.
The 35-year-old testified in connection with the remarks on the sentence that Judge Frank D’Amours has to hand down against him and reiterated that he had no memory of that night.
“Nobody can say what happened in the room,” he recalled when cross-examined by the Crown prosecutor.
The day after the incident, Veilleux claimed to have no memory, according to a phone call from his brother that was presented to the court.
“If she was raped, I hope I’m not in there,” the attacker is heard saying at some point during the call. During the conversation, which lasted about fifteen minutes, Michael Veilleux seemed “distant”, “nonchalant”, Gauthier brought me up.
“He’s not selfless, he just reacts differently to his other brother who wants to play police.” What’s clear from his statement is that when he wakes up, he’s confused and doesn’t know why he ended up there,” replied defense attorney Me Dany Pratte.
Judge Frank D’Amours’ decision will be made next July.