Accused in Montreal nun's slaying unfit for trial
Last Updated: Monday, February 8, 2010 | 12:54 PM ET
CBC News
Related
A Quebec man with a long history of serious psychiatric problems has been declared not fit to stand trial on murder charges connected to the beating death of an elderly nun two years ago.
Martin Rondeau was charged with second-degree murder in the 2007 killing of Estelle Lauzon, a Roman Catholic nun found beaten to death in her Montreal residence at the Sisters of Providence Convent.
At the time, Lauzon was working regularly with Rondeau at his halfway house.
Rondeau's trial was set to start on Monday when Quebec Superior Court Justice Guy Cournoyer declared the accused was suffering from serious mental health problems and could not be held criminally responsible for his actions.
Rondeau's lawyer told court his client was having an epileptic seizure when he attacked Lauzon, and was horrified when he realized what he'd done.
Several nuns were on hand for the trial, and said they've already forgiven Rondeau.
He is due back in court on Wednesday when he'll learn his legal fate.
With files from The Canadian PressShare Tools
Latest Montreal News Headlines
- Speaker denies CAQ party status
- The speaker of the Quebec national assembly has ruled that the new Coalition Avenir Québec does not qualify for official party status. more »
- Trudeau says sovereignty less of a bogeyman now
- Justin Trudeau says sovereignty is less of a bogeyman than it once was as he defends himself against accusations he's sympathetic to the desire to leave Canada. more »
- Quebec students strike over tuition fees
- The Quebec government will is coming under more pressure from the province's students. more »
- Sweet Isabelle's sexy cookies a St. Valentine's hit
- A Montreal bakery has just the Valentine's Day gift for the romantic partner who has everything: erotic cookies, that come in all shapes, sizes – and sexual positions. more »
Top News Headlines
- Air Canada confident it can reach deal with pilots
- Travellers flying Air Canada can keep booking their flights as negotiations continue with a new federally appointed mediator to help resolve an ongoing contract dispute between the airline and its pilots. more »
- Legalize pot, say former B.C. attorneys general
- Four former B.C. attorneys general are joining a coalition of health and justice experts calling for the legalization of marijuana. more »
- Whitney Houston's funeral to be held Saturday
- Pop star Whitney Houston's funeral service will be held Saturday in the New Jersey church where she first showcased her singing talents as a child. more »
- Online surveillance bill targets child porn: Toews
- A bill that would give police and intelligence agencies new powers to access Canadians' electronic communications is needed to protect against child pornography, says Public Safety Minister Vic Toews. more »
Most Viewed/Commented
- Sweet Isabelle's sexy cookies a St. Valentine's hit
- Travellers at Trudeau airport witness flash mob
- Trudeau says sovereignty less of a bogeyman now
- Quebec students strike over tuition fees
- Speaker denies CAQ party status
- Quebec premier visits storm-stricken Magdalen Islands
- Quebec asbestos industry mulls European convictions
- Pat Martin condemns asbestos backers to face justice in hell
- Accused in Quebec triple murder appears in court
