Jury in murder trial hears undercover police sting led to arrest of Daudelin

LAVAL – In a wooded area in Laval’s Auteuil region, in a stream a few metres from a gravel road, police found the body of Joleil Campeau back in 1995.

The nine-year-old was discovered four days after she was reported missing.

For years, detectives in Laval suspected Eric Daudelin, an area resident.

He was considered a person of interest because of his history of sex crimes.

Sixteen years later, in June 2011, police say they had accumulated enough evidence to arrest the now 39-year-old man with first degree murder, sexual assault, and forcible confinement.

It brought some relief to those who know the victim’s family.

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“We will never forget.  It’s impossible,” says family friend Sylvie Rainville.

This week at the Laval Courthouse, crown prosecutors are laying out their case to the jury.

“At the centre of the police’s investigation is an undercover technique called Mister Big,” prosecutor Pierre-Luc Rolland told Global News.

In the Mister Big operation, detectives went undercover pretending to be criminals.

They reportedly invited Daudelin to become a member of the group, and at one point, Daudelin allegedly made confessions.

“I don’t know, there are a few things that really bug me in this matter,” Daudelin told Global News.

“It’s a sneaky tactic.”

Another part of the crown’s evidence is scientific: Daudelin’s DNA was found on the victim’s clothes.

Police say it was only uncovered a few years ago, thanks to advances in technology.

Back in 1995, DNA tests came back negative.

“These clothes were in the water for four days, and they find it and they say it’s a perfect match?” Daudein asked.

“I have a problem with that.”

In the coming days, an ex-prisoner, one of Eric Daudelin’s former cell mates, will take the stand in the trial.

He’s expected to tell the court about secret conversations he had with the accused behind bars.

The trial is expected to last about four weeks.