A video went viral for the wrong reasons in the wake of the trial of Marc-André Grenon, who was found guilty on February 20 of the premeditated murder of Guylaine Potvin in April 2000.
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Published on Instagram, the video features Mr. Grenon’s two lawyers, who can be seen, for example, walking, but all accompanied by the song with rather unedifying lyrics from “Gangsta’s Paradise”.
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The video was also published with the hashtag “How to Get Away with Murder”, which can be freely translated as: How to get away with murder.
The humorous tone of the video was not well received by many Quebecers, since, it must be remembered, the subject of the trial is nothing other than the vile murder of a young woman.
This is the case, for example, of retired judge Nicole Gibeault, who finds it hard to believe that such a video was found on social networks.
“I was very surprised by this video, I was upset, because we followed [le procès] of pain and misery, until the end we heard representations… the parents… it’s overwhelming, and then seeing this kind of video by the lawyers, I think it was very strong the coffee,” she laments.
Ms. Gibeault also thinks that this type of video brings bad press to the profession, particularly defense lawyers.
“It lacks delicacy, it lacks empathy; In my opinion, it lacks fundamental respect for the family, sensitivity, and it deeply offended me with the hashtag,” she added.
The video has since been removed.
The Quebec Bar did not sanction the lawyers, but wanted to recall the values of honor, dignity, respect, moderation and courtesy which must guide the practice of law in the province.