The murderer of the young Brigitte Serre, murdered in atrocious circumstances in 2006, will have to remain behind bars for at least five more years. Judge France Charbonneau on Monday refused to allow Sébastien Simon to use the “faint hope clause” to regain his freedom before serving 25 years in prison.
“The risk of recidivism in the medium and long term is unacceptable,” concluded Judge France Charbonneau of the Superior Court. “The road that remains for him to travel will be long and arduous. ”
Sentenced to life imprisonment, Sébastien Simon must in principle spend 25 years behind bars before being eligible for parole. But through an application for review, the murderer hoped to convince a jury to reduce his period of ineligibility after just 15 years in detention. This measure abolished in 2011 by the Conservatives is often referred to as the “faint hope clause”.
Before being able to plead his case before a jury, Sébastien Simon first had to convince Judge Charbonneau of the existence of a “marked probability” that a jury would grant the request. It was at this preliminary stage that the judge rejected the murderer’s request. However, he may reapply in five years.
The gratuitous murder of Brigitte Serre shocked Quebec in January 2006. Sébastien Simon, 18, murdered his 17-year-old ex-colleague during the burglary of a service station in Saint-Léonard. Tied up by another man, the teenager had managed to escape. But Sébastien Simon had beaten her, then dragged her into the bathroom to finish her off with 72 stab wounds. “I hurt him, the female dog,” he said to his accomplices.
A murder described by Judge Charbonneau as an “assault as inhuman as it is monstrous”. Sébastien Simon’s “immense violence” is also a very relevant element in this dossier, as is his “unusual coolness” and his lack of empathy. After the murder, Sébastien Simon had feasted with his accomplices by paying for prostitutes. He then had a tattoo “Born to kill – Born to die” on his forearms.
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Sebastien simon
Judge Charbonneau recognizes that Sébastien Simon has made “real progress” in recent years. His progress is “important and deserving,” she said. The murderer has indeed obtained his DEC in human sciences and exhibits a “respectful” behavior. He is even chairman of the inmate committee.
However, the psychological evaluations are not “reassuring in the medium and long term”, adds the judge. His risk of violent recidivism remains 76% over a five-year period according to experts.
“The fact that he still cannot explain the acts committed and the fact that he still conceals his feelings does not bode well or reassure that he will not commit another violent crime if the circumstances ‘lend themselves to it,’ she concludes.
Me Philippe Vallières-Roland represented the public prosecutor, while Mr.e Sandra Brouillette defended Sébastien Simon.