MONTREAL – From Luka Magnotta withdrawing his appeal to former Quebec Lieutenant Govenor Lise Thibault being charged with fraud, here are some of Montreal’s biggest crime stories of 2015:
Remembering Samantha Higgins
“I just wanted to find out who did this to her, to me, to my family. It was devastation.”
Nicholas Fontanelli, 22, was arrested for the murder of his fiancée, Samantha Higgins, a young mother from LaSalle.
READ THE STORY: EXCLUSIVE: Vanessa Higgins on the shock of discovering her daughter’s fiancé is the main suspect in her death
Turcotte’s second murder trial
“This is the day I can begin to rest. Since their deaths, I’ve had the impression my life has been a struggle. Now, it’s all about healing.”
Guy Turcotte has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the stabbing deaths of his two young children more than six years ago.
READ THE STORY: Guy Turcotte found guilty of second-degree murder in deaths of his kids
Police target organized crime
“It’s going to slow down their business and hurt them personally, too. Rather be outside than inside. To them it’s a business.”
About 200 officers from the Montreal police, Sûreté du Québec and the RCMP busted some of the highest ranking leaders in the Italian Mafia, the Hells Angels, several street gangs and their accomplices.
READ THE STORY: Police raids across Montreal target organized crime
Magnotta withdraws appeal
“He wants to hear something, some kind of response, remorse from the killer of his son and he would like to learn more about what happened that night.”
Luka Magnotta abandoned the appeal of his first-degree murder conviction in the slaying of Chinese student Jun Lin.
READ THE STORY: Magnotta ready to meet Jun Lin’s dad after withdrawing appeal
Charbonneau comes to an end
“This inquiry confirmed that there was a real problem in Quebec, and it was broader and more deeply rooted than we thought.”
The massive four-year public inquiry into corruption and collusion in Quebec’s construction industry has finally come to an end.
READ THE STORY: Charbonneau inquiry finds corruption ‘more deeply rooted than thought’
Porter dies in Panama
Quebec’s anti-corruption unit confirmed the death of suspected fraudster Arthur Porter in Panama after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Meanwhile, Pamela Porter, Porter’s widow, was granted full parole.
READ MORE: UPAC confirms Arthur Porter is dead
Lise Thibault found guilty
Former Quebec lieutenant-governor Lise Thibault has been given an 18-month jail term and ordered to reimburse a total of $300,000 to Ottawa and Quebec after pleading guilty to fraud and breach of trust charges.
Her trial heard the money was spent on gifts, trips, parties, meals and skiing and golf lessons.
READ THE STORY: Former Quebec lieutenant governor Lise Thibault sentenced
Highway duckling sentence appealed
“I just wanted to pick up all those ducklings and put them in my car. I know it was a mistake.”
Emma Czornobaj, who was convicted after two people died when their motorcycle crashed into her car as she helped ducks on a highway, had her prison sentence delayed.
READ THE STORY: Duck-helping Quebecer won’t serve prison sentence pending appeals
rachel.lau@globalnews.ca
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