Retired Quebec judge Jacques Delisle convicted of murder to remain in prison pending case review

A retired Quebec judge serving a life sentence after being convicted of murdering his wife will not be released from prison pending a federal review of his case, the Superior Court has ruled.

Jacques Delisle claims he was wrongly convicted due to a judicial error and wanted to be freed on bail during the review by the Justice Department.

READ MORE: Quebec judge Jacques Delisle found guilty of murdering wife

Delisle was found guilty in 2012 of first-degree murder in the 2009 slaying of his wife, Nicole Rainville.

In his ruling Wednesday, Justice Benoit Moulin wrote that releasing the 81-year-old Delisle risked undermining the public’s confidence in the justice system.

“The public’s confidence in the administration of justice demands that Mr. Delisle continue to serve his sentence,” the ruling read.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The public's confidence in the administration of justice demands that Mr. Delisle continue to serve his sentence," the ruling read.

“A public, composed of reasonable people, well-informed about the law and of the circumstances of the case and who appreciate the foundations of our criminal justice system…wouldn’t accept his release at this stage of the procedures.”

READ MORE: Jacques Delisle: Canada’s Justice Minister to review murder conviction of Quebec judge

Delisle’s conviction was upheld on appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada refused to hear his case.

The Justice Department, however, decided in September to review his case due to new evidence.

WATCH BELOW: Jacques Delisle found guilty

0:25 Bail hearing to be held for Quebec Judge

Delisle’s lawyers argue new ballistics tests reveal the jury convicted their client on faulty evidence and they are requesting a second trial.

READ MORE: Former Quebec judge convicted of killing his wife says he helped her commit suicide

Moulin said the evidence he’s seen isn’t sufficient to authorize Delisle’s release.

“The analysis of expert opinions leads to the conclusion that at the very least, the pathological and ballistic evidence remains litigious,” he wrote.

“Moreover, no expert excludes homicide.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Moreover, no expert excludes homicide."

Delisle denied in a 2015 televised jailhouse interview that he killed Rainville and said he helped her take her own life by leaving a loaded gun for her to use.

READ MORE: Investigation launched into former judge Jacques Delisle’s first-degree murder conviction

He is the only Canadian judge ever convicted of first-degree murder.