The relatives of an accused who wanted to become an informant and whose offer was found on social networks have just filed a civil lawsuit for $226,000 against the Longueuil police who they accuse of putting their lives in danger.
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“Since the leak of the interrogation recording [ses proches] fear for their safety every day. The investigator’s negligence in failing to redact the sensitive information has caused them serious problems,” we read in the court document, released Monday at the Montreal courthouse.
The case dates back to last summer when Longueuil police arrested a young man in the DIX30 area of Brossard in connection with a firearms case. Questioned by an investigator, the accused then offered to cooperate with the police.
“I’ll help you,” he said. I will bring you back to them [des criminels] because you arrested me with a small gun that day. Do you want five or six guns? Want some real guns?”
The young criminal, who cannot be named here by court order, said he was hoping for a “deal” with the Crown.
No editing
However, in the days that followed, an excerpt from the interrogation ended up on social media, where he was treated as an informant. His identity was also revealed.
“On the evening of the flight […]contacted the Montreal police [les proches de l’accusé]to explain to them that they are in danger,” we can read in the court document.
The suspicion of the origin of the leak points to a co-defendant who had access to the interrogation video. However, according to the accused, the excerpt in question should have been blacked out. In fact, it was made for the transcript, they claim, blaming the police for doing the wrong thing.
When asked by the court, a judge had also severely criticized the state.
“[L’État et la police de Longueuil] was obliged to protect the personal data, the disclosure of which endangered the security of the applicant, judge Louise Leduc had stated. The disputed information should also have been extracted from any submission of evidence. The exam [de l’affaire] indicates the fault of the investigator and the accused.”
And these mistakes had disastrous consequences for the families of the accused.
consequences
In addition to participating in a witness protection program for a few days “at the express request of the Montreal police”, some relatives had to barricade themselves at home because of threats. The defendant’s mother would then have learned that a contract had been turned on his head.
“On the recommendation of the police [les proches] no longer left their homes alone,” the civil lawsuit states.
And the pressure was so great that the relatives who lived in Montreal eventually moved to another city, fearing for their lives.
Accused’s relatives are blaming the investigator’s error in not editing the defendant’s interrogation and are now seeking $226,000 in damages.
Unless an amicable settlement is reached, her application will soon be presented to a judge in the Superior Court of Quebec.
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