MNA Harold LeBel likely to face sexual assault charge in spring trial, quite close to election
Rimouski MNA Harold LeBel is still waiting to know the date of his trial for sexual assault. But one thing seems clear: it will be this spring, not long before provincial election campaiging starts up.
During a videoconference hearing on Monday, Judge Raymond W. Pronovost said it could take place in April or early May 2022. The trial, which will take place by jury, is expected to last two weeks.
The judge said he should be ready to announce the exact date for by the end of the year. He said he is currently prioritizing older files.
Defence lawyer Maxime Roy had already indicated that his client wanted a trial as soon as possible. He said on Monday that April would suit him.
On the other hand, Roy warned against holding a trial against an MNA in the fall of 2022, when the Quebec election campaign will be in full swing.
LeBel was arrested on December 15, 2020 by police officers from the Sûreté du Québec, then expelled from the Parti Québécois for the duration of the legal process.
On January 11, 2021, he announced through his lawyer his intention to plead not guilty to the charge of sexual assault that has been brought against him.
The alleged offences are said to have occurred in 2017, and the identity of the alleged victim is protected by a publication ban.
The news of LeBel's arrest that month had the effect of a bomb on the National Assembly, where he had a good reputation.
He continues to sit as an independent, but he told the National Assembly last winter that he would not be physically sitting in parliament, preferring to focus on his constituency work.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Dec. 6, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
B.C. man fighting for refund after finding someone living at Whistler vacation rental
Edwin Mostered spent thousands of dollars booking a vacation home in Whistler, B.C., for a group skiing trip earlier this year – or so he thought.
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin suspended at least six months
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the league's player assistance program.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Mortgage companies could intensify the next recession, U.S. officials warn
U.S. officials worry the next recession could be intensified by a cascading series of failures in the mortgage industry caused by crashing home prices, frozen financial markets and soaring delinquencies.