The man arrested this weekend in connection with the murder of 23-year-old Jenique Dalcourt was not charged 48 hours after his arrest.
The suspect, a 26-year-old man, was expected to be arraigned and charged with murder at 2 p.m., but at 5:30 Monday afternoon, that decision was overturned and no charges were laid. The man was set to be released early Monday evening.
The Longueuil courthouse was described as a scene of chaos confusion, with family members crying over the decision.
The prosecution and defence would not provide an immediate explanation.
Shortly after 6 p.m., Longueuil police issued a statement confirming the suspect was released, saying several pieces of evidence were submitted to the director of criminal and penal pursuits, and that the results of expert analyses are pending. They say the investigation continues.
Sources tell CTV Montreal that the man released does remain a key witness in the case and that he could technically be rearrested.
Legal experts say incidents like these sometimes take place when the prosecutor feels the case isn't airtight enough and requires further evidence.
Police also say after-dark patrols of the bike path will continues for an undetermined period of time.
Dalcourt was killed on Tuesday Oct. 21 as she walked along a bike path between Chambly Rd. and Normandie St. in Longueuil.
Police believe her attacker was alone, and had questioned a man in the hours following the attack, but only placed him under arrest on Saturday.
They said that suspect lives in Longueuil but does not live in the area where the attack took place. They have not disclosed if there was any prior relationship between him and Dalcourt.
Ten members of the victim's family were in the courthouse on Monday, and grew anxious awaiting the charges. Dalcourt’s father, an American man who lives in New York, had travelled to Longueuil to hear the charges, and said he was angry and discouraged. Dalcourt’s stepfather also described feeling anxious.
A vigil held for the young woman on Friday night was attended by family and friends but also by other people who wanted to share their sorrow following the tragedy.
A second vigil will be held Tuesday night by the family at 7:30 on the same bike path where the attack occurred.
The city has taken steps to make the path safer, swapping the bulbs in several street lights to LED bulbs and removing trees to ensure the path is better lit.
