Michael Lominy, the 30-year-old man who is accused of the second degree murder of his mother and grandmother in Longueuil, has had to face justice twice in the past in connection with battery charges. in fact against his mother.
In November 2022, he notably underwent a psychiatric evaluation and was deemed fit to appear. However, the procedures did not go any further. He was acquitted for lack of evidence.
Less than a year later, he was accused of murdering his mother, Marguerite Lominy, 67, and his grandmother, Marie Lamercie-Lefebvre. The two women were found dead in their home on Boulevard Des Ormeaux in Longueuil on Wednesday.
During a brief appearance late Thursday morning, Michael Lominy, who was present by videoconference, was ordered to undergo a new psychiatric evaluation to determine whether he is fit to appear. This evaluation ensures that the accused understands the legal procedures, explained to journalists the Crown prosecutor, Ms.e Erin Kavanagh.
A request was also made for Michael Lominy to be detained in the prison infirmary and his medication administered. No details have been disclosed about the said medication.
Rating last year
In November 2022, Michael Lominy had already undergone a psychiatric evaluation in another case. At the time, he was facing three charges in connection with events that occurred on October 24, 2022. According to the accusations, he allegedly assaulted his mother that day in addition to threatening to burn , destroy or damage their cell phone and break a mirror, a television and a piece of furniture.
In the psychiatric evaluation report carried out by a specialist from the Philippe-Pinel National Institute of Forensic Psychiatry, we learn that the 15-minute assessment was carried out by teleconsultation on November 14, 2022. “Sir does not report any psychiatric history, it is written. He would thus never have been the subject of hospitalization or a psychiatric evaluation. »
The evaluation also mentions that Mr. Lominy “explains that he became angry with his mother because she had gone to take jewelry to a lender and then lost it. He says that in general he gets along pretty well with his mother.” Michael Lominy would have “entirely denied any psychiatric symptoms”. He also reportedly denied having a mild intellectual disability.
The psychiatrist’s conclusion at the time was that there was “no evidence of a psychotic disorder or major emotional illness”, but that there could be “possible intellectual limits”. […] although the gentleman denies it.
The psychiatrist will determine that there is “no psychiatric contraindication to his appearing”.
Marguerite Lominy did not want to testify against her son at the time and the proceedings did not go any further, explains Michael Lominy’s former lawyer, Mr.e Dominic Larose. Shaken by the events, the latter said that he “would have liked to have been exempted from liability under article 16 [du Code criminel] » at the time. But the Philippe-Pinel Institute “said that it [Lominy] was perfect.” “There, they will get it back and they will redo their homework with two lives less,” said Me The Rose.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
The two women were found dead in their home on Boulevard Des Ormeaux in Longueuil on Wednesday.
Without wishing to comment on this particular case, the head of the psychiatry department at the Philippe-Pinel Institute, Dr.r Mathieu Dufour, recalls that when the court has doubts about a person’s ability to appear, it can request a psychiatric evaluation. But according to the law, only certain specific criteria must be evaluated at this stage.
The psychiatrist must in particular determine whether the person has a proven mental health disorder. If this disorder prevents him from understanding the nature of the accusations as well as the consequences of the legal process. The person must also be able to communicate with their lawyer.
It is “not a complete psychiatric evaluation nor an evaluation of dangerousness,” says the Dr From the oven.
The latter affirms that certain mental disorders are progressive and that it is therefore possible that a person judged capable of appearing at a certain moment will no longer be able to appear a few months later.
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, THE PRESS
Police officers at the scene of the tragedy, Thursday
Avoiding stigma
Prior to the incidents in October 2022, Michael Lominy had also faced charges of assault against his mother in May 2021. These charges were withdrawn.
Responsible for communications at the Association of Intervention Groups for the Defense of Mental Health Rights of Quebec, Vincent Vallée calls for caution so as not to quickly associate violence and mental health disorders. “ [Trouble de santé] mental equals suffering. No violence,” he said.
When we don’t understand a situation, we can tend to take refuge in [le trouble de] mental health to explain it. But we must not make amalgamation too quickly.
Vincent Vallée, from the Association of Intervention Groups in Defense of Mental Health Rights of Quebec
Annie Samson of the Association québécoise Plaidoyer-Victime believes that “we should not stigmatize people with mental disorders”. “But as a society, we must ask ourselves if there are weak links in our healthcare provision. Because what we see on the ground is an increase in cases of homicide where mental health is involved,” she says.
Lawyer Me Rémi Quintal represents Michael Lominy. During the passage of The Press At the crime scene Wednesday evening, several neighbors had indicated that Mr. Lominy sometimes exhibited worrying behavior. Quarrels seemed to break out in the apartment where he lived with his mother and grandmother. Mr. Lominy will appear again at the Longueuil courthouse on October 3.