Former Montreal North mayor Gilles Deguire, who is charged with sexually assaulting a minor, was back in court Monday to set a trial date.
Deguire was arrested last January and charged with sexual assault and sexually touching a girl under the age of 16.
Last month, Deguire waived his right to a preliminary hearing, opting to go straight to trial, but on Monday, his legal team hinted that Deguire didn't want to go to trial, and may instead choose to settle his case in front of a judge alone.
“We're dealing with a man that’s always been an outstanding citizen and who's extremely remorseful, who feels so much pain for what he's done,” said his attorney Frank Pappas. “We've been in conversation with Me. Bergevin and Me. Cote, the Crown attorney, and I'm sure we can come to a conclusion that would be in the best interest of justice.”
Deguire was a police officer for 30 years and a political attaché for a decade before becoming borough mayor of Montreal North in 2009.
Deguire's next hearing is Dec. 1.
