In light of the incident that caused the “removal of the genitals” of Jody Matthew Burke a few hours before knowing his sentence, the lawyer for the repeat sex offender asked Thursday to reopen the evidence in the file. Judge Jean-Jacques Gagné refused outright.
” [La Couronne] questioned my client’s will in her trans process. The events that happened could be relevant to assess this credibility, “announced Mr.e Véronique Talbot, Thursday afternoon.
Burke, who identifies as a woman and has been asking to go by the name Amber since being convicted of hyperviolent and repetitive sexual abuse of his ex-partner, has been campaigning on social media since February to assert that he is a transgender woman, complaining in particular of the refusal of a manager of the Montreal Detention Establishment (Bordeaux) to transfer him to a women’s prison.
According to our information, Burke mutilated his testicles at the Montreal Detention Facility on Tuesday, the day before his sentencing. He was rushed to Sacred Heart Hospital. “What happened led to surgery [par laquelle] M’s genitalsme Burke were removed, ”explained his lawyer before the Court.
“This is a file that has been on the rolls for 6 years. For 6 years, the judge insisted, in response to Burke’s request. ” He [Jody Matthew Burke] changed lawyers 5 times [pendant le procès] and there were twists and turns that I could talk about for hours,” he added.
“My decision is written. My idea is made. I will give it back [ma décision] “, ruled the judge.
“On the other hand, I will allow you to discuss the events. It is important that I know the physiological state, but especially on the cognitive level, if he is fit to receive his sentence, ”said the magistrate.
Burke was discharged from hospital during the day Thursday, and was in solitary confinement at the Montreal Detention Center (Bordeaux), according to his lawyer. “She is still on medication. […] I believe that it is not benign what happened. When I spoke to her, she seemed to understand what was going on,” Ms.e Talbot.
Sentencing was set for 9:30 a.m. Friday morning. Judge Gagné refused to issue a publication ban on the details of the incident, as requested by Mr.e Talbot to protect Burke’s medical information.