The man police believe randomly attacked a young woman in N.D.G. was released from prison a few weeks ago.
On Wednesday, just before 1 a.m., a 27-year-old master’s student was walking on Monkland Ave. from Villa Maria metro station when a man jumped her and stabbed her in the neck. She was in critical condition but is improving.
Police say the attacker was high on drugs and the victim was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Mathew Roberge was charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault in connection with the case Thursday.
Less than two years ago, Roberge pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to four years in prison following a 2013 incident at a Laval bar.
A man in his 40 was walking to his car when the court heard Roberge punched him in the face for no reason. The victim fell, cracked his skull, and was in a coma.
Roberge was on probation at the time of the Monkland attack and for now, he will remain behind bars. His bail hearing was set for Feb. 15.
If convicted of attempted murder, he could be sentenced to life in prison.
