“What is the most profitable socially? According to Judge Jean-Jacques Gagné, it is to grant an absolution to an elementary school teacher and educational researcher guilty of voyeurism on teenage girls. It is not the public interest to “neutralize the knowledge” of Simon Lamarre and to “deprive oneself” of his 15 years of studies, said the judge.
For three years, Simon Lamarre had fun filming the private parts of young women and teenagers, especially at the beach and in the metro at the end of a college for young girls. At that time, the 40-year-old voyeur was teaching at an elementary school in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, in addition to completing his doctorate in education. He has also given thirty courses at the University of Montreal and the University of Sherbrooke.
Caught in the act by a police surveillance, the 40-year-old Montrealer pleaded guilty to a voyeurism charge last summer. The Crown demanded a stay of sentence (suspended sentence) involving the imposition of a criminal record. However, the judge sided with the defense in granting the accused a conditional discharge. In three years, he will be able to get rid of his criminal record.
Moreover, even after receiving an absolution, Simon Lamarre tried to hide from the media by hiding his face with his coat at the Montreal courthouse.
“As I reflected on this case, I realized how difficult it is sometimes to disregard feelings of disgust or rather indignation by evaluating the appropriateness of a sentence to be imposed,” said Justice Gagné. “I want to be clear: I do not trivialize the actions of Mr. Lamarre”, even added the judge.
Nonetheless, absolution is not only in the “best interests” of Simon Lamarre, but also in the “public interest”. “The public can obviously be reassured,” said the judge. Indeed, Simon Lamarre is “transparent”, shows remorse and presents a “moderate” risk of recurrence, according to expert reports.
“Should we encourage the accused in his convincing rehabilitation or increase his isolation through stigmatization? What could harm the public interest or rather what is the most profitable socially? The judge asked himself before deciding.
The criminal claims to have acted in a state of “bewilderment” and “identity crisis”. According to the Crown, Simon Lamarre poses as the victim of his “wicked and castrating” ex-spouse. He claims in a report to have acted with “impulsivity” only with the aim of “hurting his wife”.
Surprisingly, the judge kept to the silence in his judgment several elements contained in the reports, in particular the “hostility towards women” maintained by Simon Lamarre, as well as his “deviant sexual interests towards adolescents”.
In addition, the judge did not seem to consider that Simon Lamarre was teaching in an elementary school and finishing his doctorate, while he was filming the undersides of minors in his spare time. The Crown argued that the public would be “shocked” to learn that Simon Lamarre could once again find himself in “a position of authority” with students.
During the observations on the sentence, Simon Lamarre said he wanted to “redeem” himself by helping offenders or people with mental disorders. He was ready to return to studies in social work or sexology, for example. However, he did not seem to rule out pursuing his teaching career. He refused to answer our questions at the end of the hearing.
Me Sylvie Lemieux represented the public prosecutor, while Me Alexandre Goyette defended the accused.