A man accused, among other things, of having threatened to kill Prime Minister François Legault and Minister Geneviève Guilbault pleaded guilty on Friday afternoon, before changing his mind at the very last second. Martin Huberdeau concedes that these writings were “hateful and very threatening”.
Posted at 4:06 p.m.
The 43-year-old Montrealer faces five charges, including four for death threats against Prime Ministers François Legault and Justin Trudeau, as well as Judge Sophie Lavergne, of the Court of Quebec and the Minister of Public Security. , Genevieve Guilbault.
According to the facts presented in court on Friday, Martin Huberdeau sent 22 emails to a clerk of the Quebec Court of Appeal last June in which he fired red balls at the judiciary and the political class. Among other things, he wrote that he would “break the neck” of Minister Guilbault and that he would kill her family “like Hannibal”. He also said he wanted to kill Judge Sophie Lavergne “in the name of Legault” and to attack the two prime ministers.
Throughout the hearing on Friday, Martin Huberdeau seemed determined to plead guilty, acknowledging his guilt on each of the counts and answering the usual questions from his lawyer. The Crown prosecutor, Mr.e Charles Doucet, also related the facts to the judge, detailing the threatening writings of the accused. Everything was thus heading towards a common suggestion.
However, when Judge Silvie Kovacevich informed the accused that she could dismiss the joint suggestion if it was unreasonable, Martin Huberdeau took a few seconds, before suggesting that the file be postponed until next week to “think it over”. The judge therefore did not endorse his admission of guilt.
“Maybe I hadn’t read everything. These are things that I just remembered. I did a psychiatric assessment on it. So I got a result,” he said confusedly.
“I didn’t expect at the time to be reminded of all that. I don’t feel very, very good about it with all those emails I sent three months ago. It didn’t put me in a good bubble. Maybe the weekend, it will be good to clarify that, ”chained Martin Huberdeau, who appeared by videoconference from Bordeaux prison.
The accused, however, said he was “ready to recognize the facts”. He added that these writings did not reflect his “personality”. “It’s still quite hateful, very rude, very threatening at times,” he agreed.
The case has been postponed until October 3. The Crown prosecutor, however, warned that his “offer was for today”.
Me Catherine Hébert represented the accused, who had been defending himself until then.