A trial is underway in Longueuil for Christopher Campagnolo and Tatiana Isabel Sanchez, accused of the double murder of Sophie Langelier and Kadar Ahmed in a parking lot. The prosecution claims DNA evidence ties them to the crime, while the defense argues against their involvement. Campagnolo faces charges of unpremeditated murder for shooting the victims, while Sanchez is accused of running over Ahmed. Both lawyers question the reliability of DNA evidence and assert their clients’ innocence.
Trial of Defendants Accused of Double Murder in Longueuil
In a gripping trial unfolding at the Longueuil courthouse, two individuals, Christopher Campagnolo and Tatiana Isabel Sanchez, stand accused of the tragic murders of a man and woman in a commercial parking lot. The prosecution asserts that their DNA has betrayed them, linking them to the crime, while the defense vehemently refutes any involvement of their clients.
The accusations stem from a fateful evening on September 23, 2022, when Sophie Langelier, 42, and Kadar Ahmed, 34, were fatally shot shortly after collecting a meal from a nearby restaurant. As they made their way back to their vehicle, they allegedly encountered the defendants, leading to a violent confrontation that resulted in gunfire.
Key Evidence and Defense Arguments
This trial, which commenced with jury selection in January, has focused heavily on identifying the perpetrators. Defense lawyer Hovsep Dadaghalian raised crucial questions, stating, “Who determined that Campagnolo is the shooter?”
The Crown maintains they have established the defendants’ presence at the scene and their role in the victims’ deaths. Campagnolo, aged 21, faces two counts of unpremeditated murder, accused of firing at the victims, while Ahmed suffered three gunshot wounds and Langelier was struck six times.
Sanchez, 25, is charged with the unpremeditated murder of Kadar Ahmed, accused of running over his body in a van as they fled the scene. A pathologist testified that both the gunshot wounds and the vehicle impact could have resulted in Ahmed’s demise.
Authorities recovered the burgundy Ford Edge van believed to have been used by the defendants as well as the firearm involved in the incident. The prosecution has highlighted the presence of the defendants’ DNA on critical pieces of evidence, including Sanchez’s DNA on the steering wheel and Campagnolo’s on the passenger side, as well as on the murder weapon itself.
However, defense attorney Dadaghalian cautioned the jury about the implications of DNA evidence, emphasizing, “The mere presence of DNA on an object does not confirm physical contact. Campagnolo may not have touched the weapon or trigger.” He pointed out that DNA from two or three unidentified individuals was also present, suggesting that anyone in the busy parking lot could potentially be the shooter.
Meanwhile, Kristina Markovic, representing Sanchez, argued that her client was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time and that there is no evidence to suggest she was complicit in the crime or aware that she had run over a victim.