The trial of Ugo Fredette, accused of killing his wife and a 71-year-old man, began Friday morning at the courthouse of Saint-Jerome.

The jury selection took place on Thursday.

Crown prosecutor Steve Baribeau presented his opening statement to the jury saying the case will demonstrate how Fredette allegedly killed his wife Veronique Barbe Sept. 14, 2017 because he couldn't accept that their relationship was over.

Baribeau said he will present conversations on messenger between the two on the days leading up to the killing, and that a couple's counsellor, who dealt with the couple will testify.

Baribeau told the jury Friday that Fredette stabbed Barbe 17 times on the couple's balcony in St. Eustache, and later inside the home.

The alleged crimes happened in front of a child the crown said.

The crown then said that, after Fredette allegedly stabbed Barbe, he took the child in a company car, which he had from an extermination company, drove to Lachute, beat up 71-year-old Yvon Lacasse, took his car, and dumped him in a field in Harrington where the man died.

The crown said the jury will hear video testimony from a child, who witnessed the alleged crime and had the victim's DNA on his clothing.

He was arrested on September 15, 2017.

Barbineau will call his first witness Monday, a neighbour he said witnessed Barbe's killing.

Superior Court Justice Myriam Lachance will hear the case.

Although many details of this case had been revealed over the past two years, journalists are prohibited from publishing them until the evidence is presented to the jury.