Guy Turcotte murder trial: Isabelle Gaston never thought he'd kill kids

The ex-wife of Guy Turcotte, the former Quebec cardiologist charged with murdering their children, says she never thought he could kill them.

Isabelle Gaston was back on the stand for a second day Tuesday at Turcotte's second trial on two counts of first-degree murder.

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Turcotte is accused in the 2009 slayings of Olivier, 5, and Anne-Sophie, 3.

On more than one occasion on the witness stand, Gaston told the jury under cross-examination by Turcotte's lawyer, Guy Poupart, that she never thought her ex-husband could hurt them.

She described their marriage as toxic but also noted that Turcotte was not a bad father.

Turcotte, 43, has pleaded not guilty to the charges but admitted through his lawyers last week to causing the children's deaths.

A 'toxic dynamic,' Gaston testified

Under cross-examination by Poupart, Gaston was asked at length about her relationship with the accused in 2008, leading up to the deaths in February 2009.

"It was a difficult year," she said. As the couple drifted further part, there were numerous skirmishes, harsh words and
strife.

Gaston told Poupart there was no physical violence, but that in retrospect she now considers herself a victim of domestic violence because of the emotional abuse from her former spouse.

"He did not hit me, but there was verbal and psychological violence," Gaston said, describing what she called incessant
denigration by Turcotte. 

Questioned by Poupart, Gaston said she could be sharp-tongued, too.

"I was also verbally abusive," she said. "It was like a spiral."

"We had a toxic dynamic," Gaston added. 

She began seeing her personal trainer, and she and Turcotte split up in January 2009 – less than one month before the children were found dead in a rental home.

The court heard the new beau, Martin Huot, became a regular presence at the former family home as soon as Turcotte left.

Gaston said the reason for Huot's presence was twofold: she no longer wanted to be controlled, and she feared for her safety with regard to her ex-husband.

A date had been set for the couple to meet with a mediator to discuss custody matters.

"We never met, the children were dead," said Gaston, who left the courthouse without comment.

The trial continues Wednesday.