According to the representative of the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DPCP), Girouard wanted to change people’s opinion of him. To do this, he used violence, because it demonstrates superiority over others. He wanted to be an agent of chaos
said Me Godin.
According to the prosecutor, Girouard then wants to demonstrate his courage doing things that others wouldn’t do. So he wants to kill people
.
The sequence of events
On October 31, 2020, Girouard, who is from Sainte-Thérèse north of Montreal, therefore took the road to Quebec, after entering the coordinates of the Château Frontenac in his GPS. He carries a katana, a long Japanese sword whose blade measures 76.9 cm.
Carl Girouard wears black pants and a kimono, the sleeves of which he took care to cut off. A black mask covers his face.
His murderous journey begins at the foot of the Château Frontenac, at the Place d’Armes.
« He sows terror. »
Me Godin intends to demonstrate that Girouard had been planning his gesture for a long time, because he had started talking about it at the end of 2014. According to the prosecutor’s claims, the young man was tattooed at the time, but he planned to have his tattoos erased before committing his gesture of brilliance, which he wanted to achieve before he was 25 years old. He was 24 at the time of the tragedy.
Some images will be difficult to see
warns M.e Godin.
He informs the jury that a video montage of the events will be presented to them. The murder of François Duchesne was filmed and we see the accused rush towards Suzanne Clermont, but his homicide happens out of the camera’s field.
Some of the five attempted murders were also filmed.
Criminally responsible?
Carl Girouard admits to being the author of the homicides, But that doesn’t mean he’s a killer
nuance the judge Richard Grenier, who presides over the trial, addressing the jury.
The accused, now 26 years old, will present a defense of not criminal responsibility, because of his mental disorders.
A thesis to which the prosecution opposes. Me Godin asked the jury to pay particular attention the gestures and words spoken by the accused
before, during and after the events. He intends to have two experts testify to counter the announced defence, namely a neuropsychologist and a psychiatrist.
Jurors will hear a first witness on Monday afternoon.
This tribute plaque will be permanently installed in the Place d’Armes this spring.
Photo: Radio-Canada
The members of the jury
It took less than an hour to select the 12 members of the jury. Eight women and four men will have the task of deciding whether the accused was criminally responsible.
The trial, which lasts approximately one month, is presided over by Judge Richard Grenier of the Superior Court.
The prosecutor M.e Francois Godin is supported by Mr.e Pierre-Alexandre Bernard.
Me Pierre Gagnon defends Carl Girouard.
Dressed in a burnt orange shirt, Girouard looked up on rare occasions, content to keep his head down as he stared at the ground.
The prosecution’s opening statement took place in front of a virtually empty room. Aside from media representatives and a few courthouse workers, only one person was in attendance.