Preliminary hearing underway for accused murderer Ugo Fredette

Ugo Fredette was back in court Monday as his preliminary hearing got underway in  Saint-Jérôme.

Fredette faces two murder charges in connection with the September 2017 death of his former partner, 41-year-old Véronique Barbe, as well as the death of 71-year-old Yvon Lacasse.

The 42-year-old Saint-Eustache man was initially accused of second-degree murder in the death of Barbe but the charge was upgraded to first-degree murder in October of last year.

READ MORE: Ugo Fredette faces new charges in death of former partner, senior

He stands accused of second-degree murder in the death of Lacasse, whose car police believe Fredette stole after Barbe’s body was discovered in the family home in St-Eustache on Sept. 14.

At the time, Lacasse was reported missing from the Lachute area, setting off a massive search. His body was later found along a dirt road in Arundel.

Fredette was arrested in Ontario and later transferred back into the custody of Quebec provincial police.

READ MORE: Quebec provincial police find body on dirt road along Rivière Rouge in Arundel

In March of this year, Fredette pleaded guilty to minor charges relating to the extensive search, including dangerous driving, flight from police, possession of a stolen vehicle and obstruction of justice.

In court, the accused seemed calm and looked down while witnesses took testified.

During parts of the proceeding, which are under a publication ban, family members of both Barbe and Lacasse who were in the courtroom, were noticeably emotional.

The Crown says they’ll be presenting around 30 witnesses and that means the preliminary hearing could last several weeks.

Preliminary hearings are held to establish if the evidence is sufficient to go to trial.  Following the hearings, the judge decides if the accused will stand trial and whether charges will be dropped or added.

— With files from Global’s Felicia Parrillo