It is finally Monday that the trial for sexual assault of former MP Harold Lebel will begin, at the Palais de Justice de Rimouski. It comes nearly two years after his arrest and expulsion from the Parti Québécois.
The trial, which will be before a jury, is expected to last two to three weeks. The accused has pleaded not guilty to the sexual assault charge against him.
As is often the case in this type of case, the identity of the victim is protected by a publication ban.
Harold Lebel was considered one of the most popular deputies of the National Assembly when he was arrested on December 16, 2020. He was also one of the headliners of a TV series on the job deputy whose broadcast was interrupted in the meantime.
The victim had filed a complaint against him for a sexual assault that occurred in Rimouski, in his riding.
The 60-year-old MP has represented this riding for the Parti Québécois since 2014. PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon then excluded him from training pending the conclusion of legal proceedings. Mr. Lebel did not run again in the last election.
He will be represented by Quebec lawyer Maxime Roy against prosecutor Manon Gaudreault.
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