MONTREAL – The bail hearing for the Dorval teenager accused of shooting and killing his brother wrapped up Monday.
The question of whether the teen should be released on bail was debated for more than four months in youth court, with the crown and the defence miles apart on the answer.
On Monday, they summarized their arguments to the court. Prosecutor Marie Claude Bourassa said that the young teen is a danger to society. She described the now 13-year-old as reckless, out of control and possibly suffering from a personality disorder.
“The whole behaviour, the gravity of the offences, the use of a weapon, that’s why we believe he’s still a danger to society,” she said.
Defence attorney Isabel Schurman said that the Crown’s case has holes in it. She called the police evidence unreliable and suggested that the lead detective needs to investigate further. She argued that what happened on January 21 in Dorval was a tragic accident.
Veteran psychologist Dominique Bourget testified for the defence. She told the court that the boy is highly vulnerable but said that he is at a low risk to reoffend. She suggested that he continue therapy.
The defence attorney tried very hard to convince the judge that her client is not a dangerous individual, entering 54 greeting cards into evidence. The letters that were apparently sent by the young suspect’s classmates. She said that despite his alleged crimes, he’s still very much loved.
The West Island teen is facing seven charges, including manslaughter and counts related to an armed robbery.
A few weeks before shooting his brother, police said that the boy used the same gun to hold up a gas station.
The bail decision is expected to be delivered on Thursday. If the teen is released, the 13-year-old told the court that he would be ready to stay anywhere except his mother’s home in Dorval where the shooting took place. He reportedly never wants to revisit the scene where his brother was killed.
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