Murder of a young Moroccan in Stoneham: Start of preliminary investigation for one of the accused

The preliminary investigation into one of the alleged murderers of a young Moroccan student killed in Stoneham in August 2022 opened on Monday, revealing the factual framework surrounding the tragedy. The other accused had already withdrawn from his investigation and the two men will undergo separate trials.

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In total, the crown will call seven witnesses during this preliminary investigation which must take place over five days. The content of these testimonies is, however, subject to a non-publication order in order to avoid contamination of a possible jury.

Keven Prévost-Bouchard attends the proceedings by videoconference from Roberval prison, where he has been detained since his arrest in another case of violence. He was officially accused of the murder of Achraf Thimoumi while he was already in detention.

The crown is presenting evidence obtained during the investigation to Judge Rachel Gagnon this week. At the end of the preliminary investigation, the judge will determine whether to refer the case to trial before the Superior Court.

Relatives of the 20-year-old victim, who live in Morocco, attended Monday’s hearing virtually.

Separate trials

Keven Prévost-Bouchard is co-accused with another man in this case, Éric Guénette.

The latter has already given up his preliminary investigation. He had filed a request to regain his freedom in the spring of 2023, a request which was refused.

It should be noted that the two co-defendants will undergo separate trials, which is unusual in this type of case. Usually, co-defendants in a case involving the same witnesses, the same evidence and the same factual framework stand trial together.

The case of Éric Guénette, also accused of murder, must return to court at the beginning of December.

Drug-related murder

Remember that the body of Achraf Thimoumi, a young student of Moroccan origin, was discovered by a passer-by on a private road in the Stoneham area. He was lying in his car with life-threatening injuries.

Residents of the area told the Journal in the days following the tragedy that they had heard gunshots in the moments preceding the discovery of the body.

The Sûreté du Québec indicated at that time that the murder of the 20-year-old young man could be linked to the world of drugs.

Prévost-Bouchard and Guénette were arrested three months after the events. The two men from Lac-Saint-Jean both have criminal backgrounds.