(Saint-Jérôme) A motorist who caused the death of an innocent man by attempting to take his own life on Highway 50 deserves a harsher sentence due to the “resurgence” of this phenomenon, the Crown argued Wednesday during observations on the sentence of Jano Vincent.
“This is not a rare phenomenon. It is present. There have been six cases in 10 years on Highway 50. It is an act of distress. Trying to end one’s life by endangering innocent victims. But this method is a terrible lack of concern for the lives of others,” argued Mr.e Steve Baribeau at the Saint-Jérôme courthouse.
A very rare occurrence: the Crown even filed as evidence the coroner’s reports of several suicides that took place on Highway 50 in recent years.
Jano Vincent, a 38-year-old man, was convicted by a jury last July of the second-degree murder of Robert Campion. He was automatically sentenced to life in prison. He has since appealed the verdict. The Crown is seeking a 12-year parole ineligibility period.
JANO VINCENT FACEBOOK
Jano Vincent
The circumstances of this murder are unprecedented: Jano Vincent caused a fatal head-on collision on Highway 50, near Grenville-sur-la-Rouge, in October 2019. In this sector of the “highway of death”, vehicles pass each other without any separation. If Jano Vincent survived, Robert Campion, 59, had no chance.
During the trial, the Crown painted a dark portrait of the accused, that of a man in debt and in conflict with his parents. After a night of debauchery, he specifically took Highway 50 to commit suicide. A decision that denotes a “contempt” for users of this road, according to the Crown.
“Mr Campion was alone in his camper. [Sa femme] had chosen not to accompany him. What would have happened if it had been parents with their children? “, stressed Mr.e Baribeau, who teams up with Me Alexander Dubois.
He didn’t think about others! Mr. Campion’s life wasn’t important! The lives of the people on Highway 50 weren’t important! It’s his misfortune! His suffering! It’s in this context that he killed an innocent victim.
Me Steve Baribeau
Another determining factor according to the Crown: Jano Vincent offered $10,000 to his ex-partner to change her version of events. “It’s rare that an accused will be so cheeky as to call the main witness from prison to offer her $10,000. I haven’t found any!” said Mr.e Baribeau.
PHOTO FILED IN COURT
On the left is the recreational vehicle driven by the victim, Robert Campion. On the right is the Ford F-150 driven by Jano Vincent.
According to the prosecution, this obstruction of justice is a very aggravating factor. “It is highly indicative of the accused’s contempt for institutions, laws and human life. This type of behavior is a line that must not be crossed! You cannot let such an attack go unpunished!” hammered Mr.e Baribeau.
Also, Jano Vincent has been a traffic offender for several years, the Crown claims. He has been caught twice for drunk driving, in addition to driving while prohibited.
As for the defense, they are demanding a minimum sentence of 10 years of ineligibility for parole.e Robert Bellefeuille still denies that his client attempted suicide that day. At trial, the defense argued, without any evidence, that Jano Vincent had accidentally veered off course after dropping his breathalyzer.
Me Bellefeuille also trivialized the offer of $10,000 made by his client to the Crown’s main witness. “That famous call had no consequences. The woman hung up. How does that require increasing the ineligibility period to more than 10 years? That is not a factor to consider,” he argued.
Judge Mario Longpré will hand down his sentence next October.