The preliminary investigation into Steeve Gagnon, the man allegedly responsible for mowing down a dozen pedestrians with his van in Amqui on March 13, began on Monday morning at the Amqui courthouse.
Published at 11:35 am.
Pierre Saint-Arnaud The Canadian Press
The 39-year-old is charged with three counts of premeditated murder and nine counts of attempted murder with a motor vehicle. He is also charged with dangerous driving causing death.
Gérald Charest, 65, Jean Lafrenière, 73, and Simon-Guillaume Bourget, 41, died in the tragedy that shocked the small community of 6,300 residents.
Steeve Gagnon turned himself in to the police after the tragic events and has been in custody ever since.
Some of the first people called to the stand were witnesses to the events, but the content of their statements is subject to a publication ban, as is usually the case at this stage of the proceedings.
The defendant remained quiet as he listened to the witnesses and turned several times to look out the window behind him.
The aim of the preliminary investigation, chaired by Judge Annick Boivin, is to determine whether the evidence is sufficient to stand trial.
Steeve Gagnon is represented by Me Hugo Caissy, while the prosecution is supported by prosecutors Simon Blanchette and Jérôme Simard.
On the charge of premeditated murder, he faces a life sentence without the possibility of parole for 25 years.