(Laval) Bruno Turcotte killed his almost paralyzed wife by stopping taking care of and feeding her at the start of the pandemic. The 61-year-old man was found guilty of the manslaughter of Johane Bilodeau on Friday afternoon after nine days of deliberations.
With such a long deliberation, the issue visibly tore the jury apart. But the trial of Bruno Turcotte, which took place at the Laval courthouse, was not a case like any other.
It was the story of a caregiver who, since 2010, had taken care of his wife in their Terrebonne apartment, left severely disabled by a stroke. Of a man abandoned by the system during the first wave of COVID-19, when the couple stopped receiving help at home.
This very particular pandemic context, however, did not allow Bruno Turcotte to be acquitted. Would Johane Bilodeau have been saved if a nurse had come to visit her before her death? This question, although theoretical, does not change the result: Bruno Turcotte is responsible for the death of his wife, the jury decided.
Johane Bilodeau was in absolutely deplorable condition when she died on September 24, 2020. When she arrived at the hospital, she was malnourished and dehydrated. Bed sores showed his bones. His body was covered in large brown scabs. Hours later, she died of septic shock due to a severe infection.
“Did this lady require medical attention well before she was taken to the hospital? I suggest yes,” argued Crown prosecutor M.e Dalphond at the end of the trial. A “reasonable” person would have contacted a doctor well in advance upon observing the victim’s condition, according to her.
In the eyes of the Prosecution, Johane Bilodeau had not been fed “adequately” by the accused for a long time. She was in fact “obese” three years earlier, the last time she saw her doctor. The 58-year-old woman was in a “state of practically total dependence”, recalled Me Dalphond.
“The state of Mme Bilodeau gradually deteriorated. His wounds had been present for several months. Feed ourselves, hydrate ourselves, wash ourselves, treat our wounds and infections, [ce sont toutes] things necessary for existence which were not given to Mme Bilodeau when it was Mr. Turcotte’s duty to do so,” Ms.e Dalphond, who teamed up with Me Geneviève Aumond.
The jury was therefore convinced beyond a reasonable doubt by the Crown’s version. The arguments of the defense, for their part, were clearly not enough to shake the conviction of the jurors.
The defense argued that Bruno Turcotte had treated his wife “as best” as he could in a difficult pandemic context. He had also ordered a new cream for her and received new prescriptions in the days before her death. He had also called his daughter about a sore.
“Is this the behavior of someone who is careless, who is reckless? », pleaded Me The beautiful.
The defense lawyer notably reiterated that the evidence did not explain the victim’s condition before the day before her death. The evidence was indeed silent on this subject.
Another defense argument: the prosecution’s witnesses “exaggerated” the condition of Johane Bilodeau, who was not “thin” according to the pathologist. It was far from clear that his condition was so serious, M insisted.e The beautiful. The proof: the case was not an emergency for the paramedics and the hospital staff took hours before ordering tests.
Me Labelle concluded his argument by painting this portrait of the accused.
“This story ends with Bruno Turcotte who is in tears on the sidewalk in front of Le Gardeur hospital because his wife died.”
Bruno Turcotte did not testify in his defense.
Sentencing submissions are scheduled for the coming days before Judge Daniel W. Payette. Bruno Turcotte remains free until then.
The story so far
- September 24, 2020: Johane Bilodeau died at Le Gardeur hospital following an infection
- April 7, 2021: Her husband, Bruno Turcotte, is accused of the manslaughter of his wife
- September 13, 2023: The jury trial of Bruno Turcotte opens at the Laval courthouse
- October 6, 2023: The jury finds Bruno Turcotte guilty of manslaughter