Jury finds 3 men guilty of 2010 double murder in Old Montreal
CBC News | Posted: May 3, 2014 1:20 AM | Last Updated: May 3, 2014
Kyle Gabriel, Terrell Lloyd Smith and Carey Isaac Regis are sentenced to life in prison for murder
Three men have been sentenced to life in prison after a jury in a Montreal courtroom found them guilty of murder in a 2010 shooting in a clothing boutique that left two men dead and two others injured.
Kyle Gabriel, Terrell Lloyd Smith and Carey Isaac Regis each got automatic life sentences after being convicted of two counts of first-degree murder.
They were also found guilty of two counts of attempted murder, and are expected to appear in court again to be sentenced for those convictions.
Lengthy deliberation
The trial lasted almost eight months and the jury deliberated for nine days before reaching its verdict.
"We are satisfied. I think justice has been served. It was a long trial. It was very difficult for the families," said Crown prosecutor Véronique Beauchamp.
Jean Gaston and Peter Christopoulos were killed in the gunfire.
Beauchamp said Christopoulos' father attended every day of the trial over the last eight months.
The 2010 shooting, believed to be connected to the criminal underworld, took place in broad daylight in Old Montreal at upscale clothing store Flawnego.
The store was owned by Ducarme Joseph, suspected of having ties to street gangs. During the shooting, he escaped the store unharmed.
Police said they believed the brazen attack was a settling of accounts among underworld players.
Defence will appeal
The defence attorneys of the three accused said they were surprised that after nine days of deliberation, the jury came back with a guilty verdict.
"We are surprised for several reasons …The proof was not beyond a reasonable doubt," said defence attorney Franco Schiro.
During the trial, the court heard from more than 100 witnesses.
"For seven months, we left no stone unturned. It is certain — 100 per cent — that an appeal will be made in this file," said defence lawyer George Calaritis.