Antoine Coby was charged on Saturday with the first degree murder of Viergemene Toussaint, this 42-year-old woman whose body found on Friday portrait of the marks of violence. Everything suggests that it is the ex-spouse of the victim, making the case a possible feminicide.
Posted at 10:31 a.m.
Updated at 2:28 p.m.
This is demonstrated by court documents that were filed at the courthouse, on the sidelines of a hearing held in the afternoon. Between September 15 and September 16, Antoine Coby “caused the death of Viergemene Toussaint, thus committing first degree murder, the criminal act provided for in article 235 of the Criminal Code”, the authorities rule there.
Recall that the accused, aged 36, was arrested in the evening on Friday. “He was transported to a detention center, where he was met by investigators from the Major Crimes Section for the past few hours,” Constable Caroline Chèvrefils, spokesperson for the Montreal Police Department, briefly explained on Saturday. the City of Montreal (SPVM).
The accused appeared before Judge André Perreault, by videoconference, wearing a red sweater and a face covering. From the outset, the prosecutor Me Alain Pilotte asked that a Creole interpreter be present, in order to translate all the remarks into the mother tongue of the accused or his relatives.
So far, the Montreal police remain cautious in this case, indicating that it is “possible that the suspect” is “the ex-spouse of the victim”. Our sources confirm, however, that Antoine Coby is indeed the former friend of Viergemene Toussaint, whose body showed signs of violence when he was identified in his apartment, located in the borough of Montreal North. It was the 24e murder of the year to occur in Montreal.
Debate on form
Me Pilotte and the defense lawyer, Me Véronique Fortin, debated the date to which the case should be postponed. The first wanted to postpone until Monday, September 19, while the second wanted to postpone until mid-November. ”
That’s a bit far, Judge. I understand that there is a question of evidence, but November 14 is two months away. I would have preferred before that,” said M.e Pilotte, before adding: “you know that because of [l’arrêt] Jordan, deadlines are important.”
Under the Jordan decision, established by the Supreme Court of Canada in 2016, a maximum delay of 18 months can elapse between the laying of a charge and the trial in provincial court.
The defense pleaded that “given the nature of the charges, it is not necessary to postpone until Monday”. “It is customary to postpone to a distant date”, raised Me Fort. She finally changed her mind, to suggest “an early date”, that is October 17.
After a brief pause, Judge Perreault finally sided with the prosecution, deciding that the rest of the proceedings will take place on September 19, in the afternoon.
Released at the end of July
According to our information, Antoine Coby was already due to return to court on November 14 in a domestic violence case. He allegedly kidnapped and beat the victim last summer. Sources say he tried to steal and destroy her cell phone.
He was conditionally released at the end of July, court documents show. It also specifies that he was forbidden to approach the victim and his home. He had no right to communicate with her.
In recent months, the neighborhood would have witnessed arguments between the woman and her husband, say our sources. The Press was able to confirm that the ex-spouse suspected of murder would have been arrested at that time.
Recall that it was a friend of the victim who made the sad discovery on Friday morning. Authorities were notified around 9:30 a.m. “The friend in question had not heard from the victim for some time. He therefore went to her house and was able to enter the apartment, ”reported agent Jean-Pierre Brabant.
With Mayssa Ferah, The Press