Witness at Turcotte trial says accused told him his son pleaded for his life

A confidant of Guy Turcotte, the Quebecer charged in the stabbing deaths of his two children, testified Thursday the accused told him his young son pleaded for his life and that he could hear the boy dying.

Luc Tanguay, a man Turcotte had previously hired to help him communicate better, said he met with the cardiologist two weeks after the stabbing deaths of Olivier, 5, and Anne-Sophie, 3.

The Crown has wrapped up its case and the defence will outline its approach on Monday when the first-degree murder trial resumes.

Turcotte has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder but has admitted to causing the children's deaths.

Tanguay testified that Turcotte, now 43, said he put the children to bed on the evening of Feb. 20, 2009.

He then conducted Internet searches related to suicide as he was upset after reading email exchanges between Isabelle Gaston, who at the time was his estranged wife, and Martin Huot, her new lover. He then consumed windshield washer fluid.

"He said he became aware he was going to die and he decided he take his children with him," Tanguay said.

Tanguay said Turcotte appeared deeply saddened as he recounted how he then attacked Olivier and Anne-Sophie.

Tanguay testified that Turcotte told him that when he attacked Olivier, the young boy said, "non papa, non papa!"

Turcotte said he then "heard his son dying," according to the witness, who had to interrupt his testimony at times after being overcome by emotion.

"He said it took about 10 minutes for a person to bleed to death," Tanguay said. "It was (said) in a doctor's tone: objective, cold, rational."

Tanguay had also met with Turcotte three days before the slayings and testified the cardiologist exhibited signs of turning the corner and wanting to rebuild his life.

Tanguay, a communications consultant, was helping Turcotte work on his interpersonal communication skills. Turcotte talked of buying a new house and had discussed going to mediation with Gaston.

"He was in a rebuilding phase," Tanguay said, noting Turcotte appeared sad, but not angry. "He was a man who wanted to rebuild his life."

Later on Thursday, the jury heard from Huot, who said Turcotte punched him in the face on Feb. 11, 2009.

"He (Turcotte) said: 'You stole my wife, my children, you said you were my friend."'

Patricia Giroux, Huot's partner prior to Gaston, told the jury she obtained email exchanges that proved the infidelity.

She went to the hospital to show Turcotte on Feb. 15, 2009.

"He was surprised," Giroux said. "I don't think he believed me."

The final Crown witnesses were two financial planners. On the day of the slayings, Turcotte appeared calm as he contacted Suzanne

Verreault to discuss the home he'd purchased with Gaston. On that date, she was still the beneficiary of a life insurance policy worth $900,000.

 Verreault said Turcotte called back on March 2 to deal with a number of issues, including an address change, "securing" his RRSPs and changing the beneficiaries of his will and his insurance.

She described Turcotte as calm, composed and organized.

He called twice after that to follow up on certain requests.