Charles Lassonde, accused of first-degree murder in the death of Serge Boutin, took the witness stand in his trial. His former partner, Lana Dubois, testified against him, claiming they both disliked Boutin, suspecting him of wrongdoing. Dubois recounted Boutin’s abduction and alleged that he was buried alive. After cooperating with authorities, she reduced her charge to involuntary manslaughter. The autopsy on Boutin’s remains could not confirm the cause of death, but signs of violence were evident.
Charles Lassonde Testifies in His Defense
In a dramatic turn of events, Charles Lassonde, who stands accused of first-degree murder in the case of Serge Boutin, has chosen to take the witness stand. This testimony began on Wednesday morning as part of his ongoing trial. His attorney, Me Martin Latour, initiated questioning later that day.
Background of the Case
Charles Lassonde, a 52-year-old resident of Victoriaville, was not compelled to testify, as it is the responsibility of the Crown to establish his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The trial saw the Crown conclude its evidence on Tuesday, having called approximately fifteen witnesses over a span of just over two weeks.
Notably, Lassonde’s former partner and alleged accomplice, Lana Dubois, provided extensive testimony at the trial’s outset. She claimed that both she and Lassonde harbored animosity towards the victim, Serge Boutin, on the night of the alleged murder, suspecting him of various offenses including attempts to steal their car and invade Dubois’s personal information. Dubois stated that all information regarding Boutin originated from Lassonde, and she did not verify its accuracy.
According to Dubois, Boutin was reportedly abducted from Fréchette Street in Val-des-Sources and taken to a quarry in Danville. She recounted that Boutin attempted to flee twice but was apprehended both times by Lassonde. Allegedly, the victim was then wrapped in a tarp and, it is believed, buried alive, with parts of the incident being recorded.
In a significant development, Dubois chose to cooperate with authorities in November 2023, leading them to Boutin’s body, which had not been located prior to her involvement. Initially charged with first-degree murder herself, she eventually struck a plea deal, reducing her charge to involuntary manslaughter, resulting in a sentence of just over four years, after which she was released.
Several witnesses called by the Crown were aware of the abduction and some had even witnessed it firsthand. It was revealed that Lassonde and Dubois were actively looking for Boutin on July 6, 2021. Alarmingly, it took three weeks for someone to report the disappearance to the authorities, leading to the arrest of Lassonde and Dubois on August 1, 2021.
During the trial, forensic pathologist Caroline Tanguay testified that the autopsy on Boutin’s remains could not definitively determine the cause of death due to decomposition. However, two head lacerations and a jaw fracture were noted, indicating possible foul play.