MONTREAL -- A preliminary hearing is scheduled to begin Tuesday for a Montreal man charged with murdering his wife in a suspected compassion killing.
Michel Cadotte, who is in his mid-50s, was charged in February with second-degree murder, one day after Jocelyne Lizotte was discovered in cardiac arrest at a long-term care facility.
Cadotte was granted bail earlier this month and had to abide by several conditions, which included living with his sister, taking prescription drugs, getting psychological support and paying a $10,000 guarantee.
On the day of his wife's death, Cadotte wrote on Facebook he had consented to a request for assisted death, had "cracked" and was waiting for police.
His lawyer has suggested her client's alleged actions were driven by empathy and compassion.
Under cross-examination, Cadotte told the court that he grew frustrated at the medical system because it wouldn’t allow his wife to receive medical aid in dying.
He testified that Lizotte was the victim of physical abuse by what he called “uncaring” nursing staff.
He also accused doctors of over-medicating her. He said that the say of the tragedy, he felt a mix of compassion and anger. He then went over details of how Lizotte died, wiping tears in the process.
He said he then notified family members and left messages on Facebook indicating what had happened.
“I feel better since her passing,” he said. “I no longer have to worry about the abuse she suffered. But I felt guilty, even if she’s better off where she is now […] she had a dignified death.”
But in his closing arguments, the prosecutor said whatever the motive was, it was against the law--- that it was “exactly what the doctor-assisted legislation was meant to avoid.”
Releasing Cadotte, the prosecution argued, would discredit the justice system. The objection of the crown is to maintain the confidence of the public in the administration of justice.
But the defense argues the exact opposite: that the public would understand that this was no ordinary murder.
Cadotte’s lawyer argued that he has received support from his family as well as the victim's and that her client does not represent a risk to society.
With files from CTV Montreal.
