A man who took part in a shooting this winter in the borough of Saint-Laurent has been sentenced to a “lenient” sentence of four years in prison. His accomplices had fired no less than 18 shots in the direction of a house occupied by a family.
“We are talking about 18 shots in a family residence. What can be said more than repeating the facts which are quite disturbing? “said Judge Lori Renee Weitzman, highlighting the “scourge” of firearms in Montreal.
Jimmy Garant pleaded guilty to charges of recklessly discharging a firearm and unlawfully possessing a restricted weapon. The 30-year-old man was not, however, the shooter in this case, insisted his lawyer Me Raphaelle Desvignes.
On the night of December 19, 2022, Jimmy Garant was driving a Mazda vehicle that was “prowling” on rue des Outardes in the Saint-Laurent sector. Their vehicle had parked in front of a residence, then the front passenger got out to fire towards the house. Miraculously, no one was hit by the 18 projectiles.
After a call to 911, the vehicle was stopped. Besides Jimmy Garant, co-defendants Justin Moore and Jesse Buhara were inside the car. Justin Moore, 24, was up front at the time. Jimmy Garant had rushed into the back seat when the police arrived, according to the summary of the facts. A 9mm caliber firearm was found in the vehicle.
In presenting the common suggestion of four years in detention, Crown Prosecutor Ms.e Ann Marie Prince argued that the very rapid acknowledgment of guilt of the accused was a decisive factor, since it made it possible to avoid “long proceedings”. The defense, however, pointed to the “weaknesses” of the evidence.
It is nevertheless a “lenient” sentence, insisted Judge Weitzman “It is obvious that the sentence could have been higher. Not only given the scourge we are currently experiencing with the firearms problem in Montreal,” said the judge. It also highlighted the many violent crimes committed “without lull” by Jimmy Garant since 2007. The magistrate, however, endorsed the suggestion, taking into account the rapid plea.
“Hoping that this time, his prison sentence can change the culture of Mr., because the path is not very good,” concluded the judge.
The case of the co-accused continues next April. Jesse Buhara withdrew his bail investigation on Wednesday, his attorney Ms.e Charles Montpetit.