QUEBEC – A retired judge accused of murdering his wife began to weep during his trial Friday, as a witness shared memories about her physical and emotional challenges.
The emotional scene came during the first-degree murder trial of retired Quebec Court of Appeal justice Jacques Delisle, believed to be the first case of its kind involving a Canadian judge.
The court heard that his wife, Marie-Nicole Rainville, was often tired and sad after her stroke and hip fracture.
But she had insisted she was not depressed and had not voiced suicidal thoughts, said the occupational therapist who treated her.
Marie-Josee Tremblay, who cared for Rainville in September and October 2009, said her elderly patient was “combative” despite her pain as she recovered from a hip fracture that summer.
Tremblay said she often found the 71-year-old sad and crying when she saw her on a daily basis.
“I felt the need to ask if she felt depressed and she said no,” Tremblay said. “I didn’t hear of suicidal thoughts when I was with her.”
Delisle said he found his wife dead when he returned home on Nov. 12, 2009. She had a gun by her side and a gunshot wound to the head.
The Crown alleges that Delisle shot his wife. Delisle insists that his wife, who was paralyzed on half her body following a stroke, committed suicide.
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