A real estate developer from Joliette allegedly ordered the murder in 2020 of a lawyer who defended the Desjardins Movement in a multi-million dollar dispute, the prosecution maintains at the opening of his trial for attempted murder.
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“Jean-François Malo sent Cheikh Ahmed Tidiane Ndiaye and Daouda Dieng to assassinate Nicholas Daudelin at his residence due to civil legal proceedings,” summarized Me Tian Meng Monday morning at the Longueuil courthouse.
Jean-François Malo is currently on trial on charges of attempted murder, discharging a firearm, obstructing justice and intimidation.
On March 26, 2020, Nicholas Daudelin was at his home in Mont-Saint-Hilaire when he heard the doorbell ring, even though he was not expecting anyone.
Mr. Daudelin then went to the door, but took care not to open it. He ordered the unknown person to leave his residence. But as the latter returned to the street, a second person appeared, gun in hand, according to the Crown.
“Nicholas Daudelin only sees the barrel of the gun rising higher and higher towards him. In one movement, he throws himself to get away from the door as quickly as possible,” illustrated Me Meng, who teams up with Me Marilyn The Italian Le Blanc for the public prosecutor.
Several shots then rang out in the neighborhood.
“I heard four or five fairly grouped gunshots. […] It was one behind the other,” testified Patrick Lachance, a neighbor of the victim.
The window of Nicholas Daudelin’s front door was shattered by the projectiles.
Photo submitted as evidence
Nicholas Daudelin, who is now a judge at the Court of Quebec, was hit in the lower body.
In “panic”, his partner Stéphanie Piette then called 911, she testified.
Then, Mr. Daudelin asked him to call his partner. He then allegedly told her: “I’m sure it’s Malo,” according to the latter.
Address found
In the preceding days, the Court of Appeal had rendered a judgment favorable to the Desjardins movement in its dispute against Jean-François Malo.
“The accused then obtains, through his lawyer, the personal address of Nicholas Daudelin,” mentioned Mr.e Meng.
The trial presided over by Judge Christian Jarry must be held for 19 days; 70 witnesses will have to be heard.
The evidence presented will also include searches, physical surveillance and several cell phones.
The two other co-defendants in this case, Cheikh Ahmed Tidiane Ndiaye, 43, and Daouda Dieng, 37, have already undergone trial and were sentenced to 9 and 10 years in prison for discharging a firearm.
Multiple requests
Jean-François Malo had multiplied the requests in recent months. In particular, he had tried, in vain, to have his legal fees paid by the State, being ineligible for legal aid.
His residence is valued at approximately $900,000, his chalet at more than $650,000, and he sometimes drives around in Maserati cars, the judge noted at the time.
Then he tried to obtain, again without success, a stay of proceedings due to legal delays.