More than three years after the murder of a woman in a Saint-Hyacinthe shopping center, the trial of a former major league baseball prospect was once again postponed at the last minute after becoming disorganized in the middle of the courtroom .
“We’re not going to be able to end this chapter. It’s discouraging to always submit the file again and again,” confides Yves Boulay, the spouse of the victim, Manon Savoie.
This fall, the farmer hurried to finish work in his fields to be able to attend the jury trial of Marc-André Houle, which was to begin Monday at the Saint-Hyacinthe courthouse.
The victim Manon Savoie
Photo taken from Facebook
“We were happy, it was finally happening,” adds Mr. Boulay
No more delays
Remember that Houle, 46, is accused of the premeditated murder of Manon Savoie, a sixty-year-old woman he did not know, in a shopping center.
On that day in August 2021, the soon-to-retire mother was simply going to have her watch battery replaced at a jewelry store when she was stabbed to death.
Marc-André Houle also faces charges of attempted murder, assault with a weapon, vehicle theft and fleeing.
Marc-André Houle, accused
For the second time since the start of the debates, his trial which was to begin was finally postponed. A first trial scheduled for last January was postponed because the expert opinions were not ready.
“It’s boring. This is one of the worst cases and it still hasn’t been resolved. I don’t understand,” declared Yves Boulay.
“It’s dragging. When will we get justice? » declared Marie-Ange Chicoine, the victim’s mother, with discouragement.
Insults and threats
This time the question of the fitness of the accused was raised. The former major league baseball prospect was disorganized on the full field. He suddenly became aggressive and notably launched insults and threats.
After a psychiatric evaluation, however, the court concluded that Houle is still fit to stand trial despite his behavior.
To add to the delays, his lawyer, Me Fannie Lacroix filed a motion to cease representing him, which was accepted by the court. Marc-André Houle will therefore have to find new lawyers for the continuation of the legal proceedings.
He was already a baseball star in Quebec, which even led to him being drafted by the Baltimore Orioles. Hope then experiences a brutal descent into hell, falling into drugs and living on the streets for many years.
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