LONGUEUIL - Prosecutors have yet to decide if a 71-year-old man accused of striking his 13-year-old daughter will face additional charges for her death.
Moussa Sidime was charged with aggravated assault for allegedly hitting his daughter Noutene in the face on Oct. 6 following what neighbours said was a disagreement over religion.
Noutene slipped into a coma and died in hospital three days later.
The coroner conducting the examination was unable to determine if the blow to the head was directly responsible for Noutene's death, and has sent the file to other medical specialists for review.
After getting these preliminary autopsy results, prosecutors have decided they are not yet able to upgrade the charges against Sidime to murder or manslaughter.
Sidime's lawyer says the autopsy will help clear her client.
"It's not as black or white as it seemed in the media before. It's not that black or white now,' said Marie-Josee Duhaime.
Sidime is getting a lot of support from his extended family while he awaits bail.
His second wife told the press that the incident, and Noutene's death, should be considered a horrible accident.
Meanwhile Sidime had several relatives from the United States attend court on Wednesday, ready to supply financial guarantees to get him out of jail while on trial.
However because of the inconclusive autopsy report, the bail hearing has once again been postponed, this time until Monday Oct. 25.
