<<back
The fifth estate: The Road to Hell
Story Update> Printer Version
Broadcast
October 24th, 2001
About 'Mom' Boucher:
The notorious leader of the Quebec Hells Angels was found guilt in the
shooting deaths of two prison guards in May 2002. The jury reached their
verdict after 11 days of deliberation.
The jury concluded that Boucher had masterminded the killings of Diane
Lavigne and Pierre Rondeau in 1997. The Crown accused him of ordering
the killings in a plot to destabilize the justice system.
Boucher received an automatic life sentence with no chance
of parole for 25 years. He appealed the verdict one month later.
About the Hells Angels in Quebec:
The trials for the Hells Angels who were arrested during Operation Springtime
are slowly making their way through the Quebec legal system.
The cases are proceeding in 'mega-trials' where many of the former Hell
Angels members are tried together in a specially built courthouse in Montreal's
north end.
The first 'mega'-trial case ended in disaster in July 2002 when the Justice
Jean-Guy Boilard quit because of a complaint filed against him by one
of the defence lawyers after months of testimony. Quebec Superior Court
judge, Pierre Beliveau had to order a new trial. Several jurors had stepped
down from the case claiming personal hardship. The trial had already cost
some $2.5 million.
Finally, in March 2004, nine members of Hells Angels were convicted of
26 counts of gangsterism, drug trafficking and conspiracy to commit murder.
The re-trial lasted nearly one year and the jury reached their verdict
after 12 days of deliberation.
A second 'mega'-trial case ended more successfully. In September 2003
nine Hells Angels members pleaded guilty to lesser charges bringing an
unexpected end to the trial.
About the Hells Angels in Canada:
According to the latest (2003) Criminal Intelligence Service Canada report
successful law enforcement action within the last two years has effected
the Hells Angels network in central and Atlantic Canada.
Due to Operation Springtime in Quebec, many of the six Hells Angels chapters
lack the members and organizational capabilities to maintain the scope
of their criminal networks.
In February 2004 police conducted another massive sweep in Montreal and
issued warrents for 63 Hells Angels members. The bikers were charged with
drug offenses and gangsterism. It was the biggest raid since Operation
Springtime in 2001.
The Halifax chapter has been weakened with the arrest of 4 of its members
during Operation Hammer in 2001.
Several members have recently been arrested in Ontario, but the province
is still home to 40% of Hells Angels members in Canada.
TOP
the fifth estate:
The Road to Hell
Originally Broadcast on October 24, 2001
Updated in February, 2004
Timeline
of Terror - Battling the Bikers -
Bikers in Your Backyard
Story Update - Resources
|