It was an emotional day at the St. Jerome court house Friday during the sentencing arguments for former cardiologist Guy Turcotte.
Turcotte was found guilty of second-degree murder in the deaths his two young children, Olivier and Anne-Sophie, on Dec. 6.
Isabelle Gaston, Turcotte's ex-wife and the mother of the two children, delivered an impact statement through tears, describing her pain and suffering since the murders.
"Every passing day I’m afraid that I’m going to forget the happy memories I still have of my children. I'm afraid to forget their faces and their voices. I miss them," she said.
She said she’s had to put up with insults from some members of the public who believe she bears some responsibility for what happened and has suffered financially, as well as emotionally.
Towards the end of her statement, she addressed Turcotte directly, saying “You may have broken my heart, but you did not break my determination. You did not destroy me.”
Prosecutors asked for a minimum sentence of 20 years in the as sentencing arguments began.
If prosecutors get their wish, Turcotte would be unable to ask for parole for 20 years. The Crown argued there were no mitigating factors and that Turcotte never expressed remorse for what he did.
But the defence is recommending 10 to 15 years behind bars, saying Turcotte is ashamed and that the court shouldn't sentence him in order to exact vengeance. Turcotte then spoke.
"You can't understand how ashamed I am of what happened. And Isabelle, I never wanted this trial to make you feel responsible.
"I never wanted to hurt you, I still have a hard time living with this."
This is Turcotte's second conviction for killing his children; in 2012 he was found not criminally responsible, but the Crown successfully appealed that decision.
By law, Turcotte must serve a minimum of 10 years behind bars. Second-degree murder carries a maximum sentence of 25 years. The judge is not bound by the suggestions of the defence or prosecution, and is expected to render his decision Jan. 15.
