MONTREAL — A man who was convicted of manslaughter through criminal negligence because his girlfriend died while they were taking part in sado-masochistic sex role-playing has been sentenced to a one-year prison term.
Patrick Deschatelets, 46, a firefighter with the Montreal fire department, learned of the sentence Thursday morning at the Longueuil courthouse.
Quebec Court Judge Claude Provost also attached a period of two years of probation to the sentence.
During that two-year period, Deschatelets will be required to keep the peace and advise the court of any change of address.
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He is also required to do 120 hours of community work during the first year of his probation and is required to turn over a sample of his DNA.
Due to a court order, the name of the victim cannot be published. She died while she and Deschatelets were experimenting with sexual role-playing at his house in 2008; allegedly of asphyxiation while bound in chains and a metal collar after Deschatelets stepped out to buy pasta for their dinner.
According to evidence heard during the trial, keeping a partner waiting in such scenarios is sometimes part of the role-playing.
It is believed she became fatigued and could no longer stand in the bondage gear and collapsed in a way that the metal collar choked her. Deschatelets tried to revive the woman but she died.
The Crown had asked for a 4-year prison term. But Provost noted in his decision that Deschatelets now risks losing his job, has to pay for the cost of his lengthy case and is currently facing a civil lawsuit filed by the victim’s family.
The judge also noted he did not agree with the Crown’s argument that Deschatelets has shown no remorse since he was charged or that “his preoccupations were principally egotistical.” Provost also wrote that he didn’t believe the fireman poses a risk of reoffending.
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