Former anti-mask leader Mario Roy was “broken” by his time behind bars. He was “extremely” upset by a strip search carried out by three women. The appropriate treatment? Don’t go to jail. At least that’s what controversial psychiatrist Pierre Mailloux recommends.
“Doc” Mailloux testified with his well-known verve on Friday at the Montreal courthouse as part of the observations on the sentence to be imposed on Mario Roy. The former member of the anti-sanitary measures group Les Farfadaas risks six months in prison for blocking the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine tunnel with his accomplices during the pandemic.
In the hope of avoiding prison, Mario Roy called psychiatrist Pierre Mailloux to the stand as an expert witness. Questioned by the judge about his ethical history, the psychiatrist recalled having been “disbarred seven times”, but having no practice limitations for “human beings” over 13 years old, including “old people”.
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Mario Roy at the Montreal courthouse last June
Mario Roy experienced “psychological trauma” when he was detained for 121 days in another case, according to “Doc” Mailloux.
“He experienced deep despair during this incarceration. When he got out of prison, he was no longer the same. This incarceration broke him psychologically, broke him, demolished him. No treatment other than avoiding any incarceration for medical reasons and favoring his haven of peace,” concludes the psychiatrist.
The Dr Mailloux insisted on the effects that a strip search suffered in “the presence of three women” had on Mario Roy. “It shook him up extremely deeply,” says the psychiatrist.
The “rebellious, spirited, combative” man that Pierre Mailloux knew no longer exists. In the 2010s, Mario Roy “gesticulated” in the courtroom and spoke “louder”. “He was annoying. We call it a personality change,” analyzes the expert. A remark that raised the eyebrows of judge Jean-Jacques Gagné. “Less annoying? »
The public prosecutor is calling for a six-month prison sentence in order to send a message of denunciation to the population about the misuse of social networks.
“When we commit a coup, there are repercussions for our actions. Using a criminal situation and advertising it on social networks is aggravating,” argued Crown prosecutor M.e Martin Bourgeois.
“Are you telling me that if I don’t send him to prison, the message won’t get through? Neither for him nor for the others? “, asked Judge Gagné.
Mario Roy, who is defending himself alone, is asking for a suspended sentence – like his co-defendants. He half-heartedly admitted to having some remorse for his actions. He says he “lost all joy of life” in prison and maintains that he was detained on “false pretexts”. He claims to have had the “respect of the inmates” in prison, since he was there for the “right reasons”.
Very patient, Judge Gagné often refocused Mario Roy, while he drifted on issues that were not relevant to the case. “Are you afraid of prison,” insisted the magistrate. “I’m afraid of what I could become if I get out,” replied Mario Roy, then adding that he feared the guards, and not the inmates.
“Is that your answer?” », whispered the judge, perplexed.
The magistrate then asked Mario Roy if this was the last time we saw him in a criminal case.
” It’s sure and certain. I retreat into the woods. That’s my plan. I wanted to help the population and help the Quebec Bar to clean up,” replied Mario Roy.
“You didn’t help anyone, you blocked the bridge-tunnel,” replied the judge.
Transparent, the judge indicated that he was seriously considering a sentence of six months of detention. A question remains: should it be served at home or in prison? The answer at the end of November.