This article written in french by Geneviève Quessy was automatically translated using AI
Gilles Brassard, husband of Thérèse Brassard Lévesque, who was strangled in a private senior residence in Terrebonne in 2023, admitted to killing his wife of 53 years in exchange for a reduced charge of second-degree murder.
The 82-year-old man appeared disoriented when Judge Hélène Di Salvo informed him he would spend at least the next ten years in prison due to his guilty plea on Wednesday, November 13, at the Laval courthouse.
“That just gave me a shock,” said Gilles Brassard. “Once I’m inside those walls, they’ll realize I’m not a murderer.”
The session had to be suspended to allow his lawyer, Me Elfriede Duclervil, to have a discussion with him. He ultimately pleaded guilty.
Gilles Brassard admitted to strangling his wife with a cord on September 30, 2023, at the private senior residence L’Étincelle in Terrebonne, before attempting to end his life by ingesting a large quantity of medication. The incident was recorded by a surveillance camera in the room.
On that day, first responders found Thérèse Brassard Lévesque unconscious in her bed with a cord around her neck. Gilles Brassard was in the nearby chair, semi-conscious, with blood on his hands.
While he was taken to Pierre-Legardeur Hospital under police supervision, nothing could be done to save his wife.
“I’m not a murderer. I did this out of love and deep compassion. I wanted to send her to a better place. We were both 80 years old, and I knew it would hurt the children, but I wanted to leave with her, even though I failed,” said Gilles Brassard, addressing the court.
Several of Gilles Brassard’s family members testified about the distress he had been experiencing and expressed their belief that he acted out of compassion for his wife, who had Alzheimer’s disease and whose health had visibly deteriorated in recent years.
Described by his family as a good and honest man who reached his limit after caring for his wife alone during the pandemic, Gilles Brassard was portrayed as a victim of a system that failed to provide him the support he needed.
Family members also spoke about the lack of care their mother received in the private senior residence and the distress and helplessness they felt witnessing her suffer.
By pleading guilty, Gilles Brassard faced a potential life sentence.
However, a joint proposal by the prosecution and defense may allow him to apply for parole after 10 years and six months in prison.
“I intend to follow this joint recommendation, but your family situation affects many people across Quebec. I want to take the time to write my decision carefully,” said Judge Hélène Di Salvo, who will announce the sentence on November 22 at the Laval courthouse.
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