TROIS-RIVIÈRES, Que. – The two 17-year-olds arrested after a triple murder in a residence in Trois-Rivières were charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to murder on Wednesday.
The bodies of two sisters, aged 22 and 17, and the boyfriend of the younger sister, also aged 17, were found Tuesday morning at around 8:00 a.m., inside the family home on Sicard Street.
READ MORE: 3 bodies discovered in Trois-Rivières home; 2 minors arrested
The two suspects were arrested as they allegedly were leaving the residence.
Trois-Rivières police were called to the house after receiving an emergency telephone call placed to 9-1-1 by one of the victims.
Possible motivation?
The deaths have left friends, family and a community reeling, with many wondering why it happened.
Authorities have confirmed that they are investigating the possibility that the murders may have been motivated by jealousy.
READ MORE: Friends and neighbours shocked, grieving after triple murder in Trois-Rivières
One of the suspects was allegedly in love with the 17-year-old girl, who apparently refused his advances.
“There seemed to be a certain relationship between one of the suspects and one of the victims,” said Michel Letarte a spokesperson for the Trois-Rivieres police.
The police also confirmed that the murder was committed with a firearm, but did not specify the type of the weapon used, or its provenance.
Naming the victims
As required by law, the identity of the three victims and two suspects has not been released by investigators.
This is because two victims and two suspects are minors and naming the fifth would identify one of the sisters.
Tried as adults?
The Crown has requested that the two suspects are tried as adults.
A lawyer for one of the two teens charged with first-degree murder said that this decision would have an enormous impact if they were found guilty.
“In the case of first-degree murder where the accused is an adult, the sentence is generally 25 years,” defense lawyer Rene Duval told Global News.
“There’s a provision in the law that says the maximum is 10 years when the accused is 17 or 16.”
– With files from La Presse Canadienne and The Canadian Press
Comments