The informer and former biker Stéphane Gagné, alias Godasse, whose testimony led to the conviction of former Hells Angels warrior leader Maurice Boucher for the murders of prison guards in the early 2000s, obtains day parole, after a incarceration that lasted almost 25 years.
Gagné, 53, one of the best-known repentant witnesses in the province’s criminal history, is protected by the Sûreté du Québec and has a new identity; he therefore cannot go to a halfway house and has been sent to an undisclosed location.
Stéphane Gagné is serving a life sentence for the murder of a prison guard, Diane Lavigne, and for an attempted murder committed against another correctional officer, Robert Corriveau, in 1997.
These attacks against prison guards, which occurred at the height of the biker war which lasted in Quebec from 1994 to 2002, had been ordered by Maurice Boucher, who died of cancer last year.
Getting to grips with bank cards
Stéphane Gagné took his first steps toward freedom in 2018, when Canada’s parole boarders granted him escorted release rights.
These outings went well and in a hearing held behind closed doors in recent weeks, Gagné asked the commissioners to now grant him full parole or day parole.
Even if a psychologist assesses the risk of recidivism as moderate, the commissioners underlined the progress made by Gagné in detention and during his outings during which he was notably “able to interact with citizens, learn to pay with bank cards, shop and eating out,” reads the 14-page decision from the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) issued on February 21.
Inside the walls, Gagné held a job in the kitchen, where he was the representative of the inmates and acted as a bridge with the correctional officers. Since the pandemic, he had more responsibilities and was alone in charge.
“At the hearing, you mentioned understanding the damage you caused to the victims and collateral victims. You say you have a thought for them every morning. You say that you will never forgive yourself for the irreparable acts you have committed, but that you must learn to live with it, ”write the commissioners who agree to grant him semi-freedom, but for an initial period of six months.
“The Board refuses full parole. The Board is of the view that you will pose an unacceptable risk to society if you are granted full parole and that your release will not contribute to the protection of society by furthering your reintegration into society as a law-abiding citizen.” , add the commissioners.
Psychological support
On day parole, Gagné must respect conditions: he must respect a curfew between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., have only one communication device and only one SIM card, allow his parole officer to check all his communications, must not communicate with the relatives of the victims, must not communicate with anyone involved in criminal activities or belonging to a criminal organization, and must participate in psychological follow-up.
“After spending nearly 25 years in federal correctional facilities, you will find yourself in a new environment under a new identity. You will face obstacles that will require healthy management of emotions,” explain the commissioners.
Everything about Gagné’s plans for his eventual full parole were discussed behind closed doors during his PBC hearings, for safety reasons, so nothing is known about his new life.
Mom’s crush
After the murders of prison guards in 1997, the police managed to corner Gagné after obtaining statements from an accomplice.
Stéphane Gagné then quickly collaborated with the police and his testimony was essential in convicting Maurice Boucher in 2002 for the murders of Diane Lavigne and another correctional officer, Pierre Rondeau, and for the attempted murder of Robert Corriveau.
Stéphane Gagné has been eligible for day parole since 2014 and full parole since 2017.
In 2015, he went to Superior Court and told a jury about his life, to advance his parole eligibility date from 25 to 19 years.
He had received several favorable testimonies, including those of the police.
To reach Daniel Renaud, dial 514 285-7000, ext. 4918, write to [email protected] or write to the postal address of The Press.