Accused of murdering a man in a crowded restaurant in the DIX30 shopping center in 2019, Joshua Sarroino was acquitted by a jury on Sunday after two days of deliberations.
Joshua Sarroino was charged with the first degree murder of Eric Francis De Souza, a man shot in cold blood by an assassin on May 10, 2019. The 24-year-old victim was then seated with friends for a birthday party at the restaurant Sophia in Brossard.
PHOTO ARCHIVES PRESS
Joshua Sarroino
The masked shooter entered through the main door of the crowded establishment, then walked directly towards the victim, who was facing him. He fired behind the man’s head, killing him instantly. A green plastic bag, attached to the gun, inflated upon detonation. A video presented to the jury showed the fateful scene.
This plastic bag was crucial to the prosecution’s evidence since Joshua Sarroino’s fingerprints and DNA were on the object, found not far from the scene. A gun and bullets were also found in the bag.
PHOTO SUBMITTED IN EVIDENCE
In the photo, the 12 friends can be seen at the table on the evening of the murder. The victim, Éric Francis De Souza, with a white sweater, is in the upper left. It’s number 1 in red.
The Crown’s case against Joshua Sarroino, however, was entirely circumstantial. Indeed, the shooter’s face was not visible on the surveillance videos.
Obviously, this evidence did not convince the jurors beyond a reasonable doubt of the guilt of Joshua Sarroino who thus regains his freedom.
Me Tian Meng, M.e Patrick Ostiguy and M.e Richard Rougeau were the Crown prosecutors on file, while Mr.e Danièle Roy defended the accused.