Two Montrealers who savagely attacked six people in half an hour now risk the label of delinquent to control so much their risk of recidivism worries the authorities.
“Criminal records since 2010 expose a steady rate of criminality, an inability to meet commitments and a propensity for violence,” wrote Crown Prosecutor Alexis Dinelle, in his motions for Lentz Lowry Lapaix and Philippe Henri Nguene Nguene.
A thorough investigation by the Montreal police was necessary to shed light on the disturbing events that took place on August 9, 2019.
Both men were handcuffed after being identified. During his arrest, Lapaix also had in his possession a loaded firearm.
The images from the surveillance cameras viewed that evening show Lapaix and Nguene Nguene freely attacking several individuals they met at random on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, in Montreal, in the bar sector.
“The Tribunal first notes not only that, during the scuffle, the victim collapsed on the ground like a ‘rag doll’, making no move to hold back his fall, but that, once on the ground , he receives, without any response or gesture of defence, blows from the two accused, ”described Judge Nathalie Duchesneau in her decision rendered in September 2021, where she finds the accused guilty.
Unheard of violence
The newspaper was also able to see the images of incredible violence, while the victim was unrestrainedly kicked in the head by the two individuals. Afterwards, Nguene Nguene is seen punching several people in the face who was trying to protect the inert man on the ground.
Good Samaritan under attack
After this event, the defendants were still seeking hostilities.
Nguene Nguene started insulting two young people, giving one of them a “big slap” in the face.
A Good Samaritan not far from the scene intervened to protect them, but the accused was quickly joined by two of his friends who had come to defend him, including Lapaix.
The poor man was then pounded with punches and kicks.
The spouse of this second victim, who witnessed the whole scene, came to report that they notably aimed at his head “like a soccer ball”.
“Blood is coming out of his ears, he’s unconscious, he’s restless, he’s like snoring,” she said during her testimony.
Following this attack described as “savage” by the judge, the man still remains today with sequelae. He remained in hospital for more than four months, including 40 days in a coma. He suffered serious injuries and had to stay in a rehabilitation centre.
The two defendants have still not received their sentences, while requests to declare them long-term offenders for a period of five years must be debated. They also want to make their pretrial detention count for double, instead of the usual time and a half.
♦ The label of long-term offender is an exceptional measure which means that the accused must submit, after their period of detention, to conditions of supervision.