Former PQ MP Harold LeBel will not appeal the guilty verdict against him in a sexual assault case.
“We are disappointed with the verdict,” said his lawyer, Mr.e Maxime Roy, in a brief email. However, Judge Francoeur conducted this trial in an irreproachable manner. We have no argument to appeal the verdict. »
Me Roy points out that the defense will not issue any further comment.
On November 24, a jury found Mr. Lebel guilty of a sexual assault that occurred in 2017 against a victim whose identity is protected by a court order.
The next stages of the trial will last until the end of winter. The defense and the prosecution must present a joint sentencing suggestion to judge Serge Francoeur on January 26. The former deputy should know his conviction on March 20.
Harold LeBel, elected MP for Rimouski in 2014 under the PQ colors, enjoyed a very good reputation with his constituents until December 15, 2020. That morning, the Sûreté du Québec arrested him and his party expelled the same day.
Mr. LeBel continued his political career as an independent MP, without running for a new mandate in 2022. During the trial, he had denied the allegations of the complainant, who assured that the MP had notably tried to unhook his support- throat without her consent and had perpetrated various acts of a sexual nature against her during a night spent at her condo in Rimouski.
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