The family of the 23-year-old woman killed in Longueuil has no quibble with the work done by police, but feel disappointed by the legal system.
Over the weekend police arrested a man in connection with the murder of Jenique Dalcourt, who was killed one week ago on a bike path near a cemetery.
However on Monday the crown declined to press charges, with prosecutors saying they did not have enough evidence to charge the suspect.
The 26-year-old man was released.
"It was the court system that let him go. It wasn't the police. The police did their job, they arrested him," said Jenique's father, John Gandolfo.
At this point Dalcourt's family does not know who the suspect is.
"We spent all day in court. Every time some guy came through in handcuffs we thought 'that's the guy,'" said Gandolfo.
"It wasn't until 5:30 that they pulled us into a room and they told us they didn't have enough evidence to indict him."
Meanwhile Dalcourt's family said they have had to put their grieving on hold because of the legal confusion.
"We're very upset. We wanted answers. We came to court. We put on funeral arrangements on hold hoping to get some answers," said Nick Gandalfo, Dalcourt's older brother.
Police keeping eye on suspect
Marc David of the Longueuil police department wants to reassure residents of Longueuil the man is being watched.
"We have to say that the people of Longueuil are safe. We're not just going to let somebody walk around. And of course on the bicycle path there will be regular night and evening patrols, so the people of Longueuil can feel secure," said David.
Legal experts say incidents like these sometimes take place when the prosecutor feels the case isn't airtight enough and requires further evidence.
Police say the 26-year-old man remains their number one suspect, and they have submitted evidence to a laboratory in hopes of building a better case.
Dalcourt was attacked on Tuesday Oct. 21 as she walked along a bike path between Chambly Rd. and Normandie St. in Longueuil, dying several hours later in hospital.
Police believe her attacker was alone, and had questioned two men in the hours following the attack, placing one of them him under arrest on Saturday.
They said that man lives in Longueuil, but not in the area where the attack took place.
Sombre vigil
A vigil for Dalcourt took place last Friday, and a second vigil took place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on the bike path where Dalcourt was attacked.
Gandolfo added a candle to the memorial for his daughter at the sombre ceremony.
"We want the media to push the courts, the police, everybody involved. We don't want Jen to be forgotten. This could have been your daughter, anybody's daughter, and we want justice," said Gandolfo.
Monther Monique Delcourt said she feels as though a part of her heart went with her daughter.
"Nothing can bring her back, nothing can make you feel whole again, but it's nice to see that other people are grieving with us. We're not in this alone. We appreciate all the support from the community and from friends and family," she said.
