The murder trial of Claude Larouche is in the hands of the 12 men and women who make up the jury as they entered deliberations Tuesday after hearing closing arguments.
And the stories they heard from the prosecution and defence were wildly different.
Which side all 12 members of the jury believes will ultimately decide the fate of Larouche, accused of killing Natasha Cournoyer.
Justice Fraser Martin told the jury that if they believe the prosecution's case that Larouche patiently stalked, then kidnapped, raped and killed Cournoyer, then they must declare him guilty of first degree murder. If they believe the defence's argument that the woman willingly followed Larouche, who then accidentally killed her while high on cocaine, then he should be found guilty of the lesser count of manslaughter.
The defence refused to comment at the end of the trial, but the prosecution thinks their claim is at best insulting.
"This woman was killed in a horrible manner," said prosecutor Elianne Perreault. "And to destroy her reputation and the testimony was something else, for the family, the boyfriend, so I thought it was stranger."
The jury in the trial was not allowed to hear some very incriminating evidence against Larouche. For example, in 2005 he was sentenced to four years in jail for attempting to kidnap an 8 year-old girl.
He also has a previous conviction for sex assault, and two weeks after the Cournoyer was killed, he was once again arrested and charged with the rape of a prostitute.
These elements were not used against Larouche because it would have prejudiced his right to a fair trial. But for the investigators and the prosecutor, it only confirms that Larouche is a cold and calculated predator.
"This man was aware of what he was doing and made the decision to kill Natasha Counrnoyer," Perreault said.
