SAINT-JEROME, Que. – The ex-wife of a former Quebec doctor convicted of murdering their two children has told him he succeeded in breaking her heart, but not her will.
Isabelle Gaston delivered an emotional impact statement today at the sentencing arguments for Guy Turcotte, who was found guilty earlier this month of second-degree murder in the deaths of Olivier, 5, and Anne-Sophie, 3.
READ MORE: Guy Turcotte found guilty of second-degree murder in deaths of his kids
A conviction on second-degree murder carries a sentence of life imprisonment but the court has some latitude on setting parole eligibility.
The minimum time to be served before being able to apply for parole is 10 years, while the maximum is 25 years.
Gaston is the only witness the Crown chose to have the court hear at the arguments.
READ MORE: Jury to receive final instructions in Guy Turcotte trial Monday
The handcuffed Turcotte cried and tried to wipe away the tears as he listened from the prisoner’s box.
“I want you to know, Guy Turcotte, that you achieved your goal,” Gaston told him as he sat shaking, with his head low.
“I want you to look me in the eyes,” she said in a particularly intense moment.
“You broke my heart, but I want you to know you did not break my resilience,” she added, as many in the courtroom cried.
READ MORE: Closing arguments underway in Guy Turcotte murder trial
Turcotte’s lawyers were hoping the jury would find him not criminally responsible by way of mental disorder — the verdict that was handed down in 2011 at his first trial.
The jurors had the choice of four possible verdicts: not criminally responsible or guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree murder or manslaughter.
Quebec Superior Court Justice Andre Vincent asked them if they had any recommendations for the minimum number of years Turcotte should serve but they said they had none.
Turcotte will learn his sentence on January 15.
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