Latest news with #FrançoisPelletier
CTV News
02-07-2025
- CTV News
Montreal man found guilty of ex-girlfriend's murder
Romane Bonnier, 24, was stabbed to death in the Milton Park neighbourhood of Montreal. François Pelletier has been found guilty of killing his ex-girlfriend, Romane Bonnier, 24, after she was stabbed to death near McGill University in downtown Montreal in October 2021. The jury reached a unanimous verdict of guilty on the charge of first-degree murder on Tuesday at the Montreal courthouse. Pelletier acted as his own lawyer in the case, and seemingly admitted to killing Bonnier on at least three occasions, including testifying that he was a soldier of God and killing her would protect her from the apocalypse. Security cameras brought into evidence showed a man repeatedly stabbing Bonnier on the street. Pelletier is expected to be sentenced to life imprisonment with no possibility of parole for 25 years. The victim's father, Guy Bonnier, called the verdict a relief for the family. With files from The Canadian Press.
CBC
01-07-2025
- CBC
Montreal man convicted of 1st-degree murder of woman he briefly dated
François Pelletier has been found guilty of the first-degree murder of Romane Bonnier, 24, whom he killed in October 2021 after they had a brief relationship. The verdict was delivered by the jury Tuesday, at the Montreal courthouse, following four days of deliberations. First-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence with no possibility of parole for 25 years. The jury accepted the Crown's version of events, which showed the killing was premeditated, and rejected Pelletier's defence. He had claimed he felt compelled to kill the young woman, suggesting mental health problems were behind the act. Speaking at the courthouse, Bonnier's parents said they were satisfied with the verdict, despite the long and painful process. Her father Guy Bonnier said Pelletier can't do anything to anyone else and for them, that's the most important thing. "Justice has been served in our view," said Crown prosecutor Marianna Ferraro. Pelletier represented himself during the trial. Two court-appointed lawyers were named by the presiding judge, François Dadour, to assist him. The murder occurred in the middle of the afternoon, in front of witnesses, on Aylmer Street near Milton Street in the Plateau–Mont-Royal borough. It was captured on video by bystanders and surveillance cameras. Pelletier had briefly dated Bonnier after meeting her when they became roommates. He killed her a month following their breakup. He was 36-years-old, at the time. That day, he followed her home from work and stabbed her about 20 times in the upper body. She died of her injuries in hospital a few hours later. Bonnier was a singer and actor who had graduated from Marianopolis College four years earlier. The killing prompted a march in her memory and in protest against violence toward women.
Montreal Gazette
01-07-2025
- Montreal Gazette
McGill Ghetto killing: François Pelletier found guilty of first-degree murder
The jury in the trial of François Pelletier emerged from its deliberation Tuesday and found him guilty of the first-degree murder of Romane Bonnier. During a very unusual trial where Pelletier, 39, acted as his own lawyer, the only question for the jury to address was the state of Pelletier's mind when he killed the 24-year-old woman in the McGill Ghetto in from of several stunned witnesses. He stabbed the young woman he had been in a brief relationship with 26 times. The jury was in its fourth day of deliberation on Canada Day when it reached its decision. Last week, the jury had to work during the Fête nationale holiday to keep to a schedule that saw them begin deliberating Saturday. This story was originally published July 1, 2025 at 10:21 AM.
CTV News
13-06-2025
- CTV News
Montreal man on trial for murder in ex-girlfriend's death finishes testimony
The man accused of first-degree murder in the death of his former girlfriend near McGill University finished his testimony Friday afternoon. François Pelletier is defending himself in his trial in the killing of 24-year-old Romane Bonnier, who was stabbed to death in 2021. The prosecution wrapped up its cross-examination in the trial and Pelletier is acting as his own lawyer in the case. On at least three occasions, he seemed to admit to killing her. He testified that he considered himself a soldier of God, and that he had to kill Bonnier to protect her from the apocalypse. His testimony got so confused that at one point the jury asked why they had to listen to it. The cross-examination by the prosecution was considerably more direct. Pelletier was asked about the three options he considered when he made the decision to kill Bonnier. On the stand, Pelletier admitted his first option was murder by strangulation, but couldn't figure out how to do it. His second option was to shoot his victim but Pelletier said he couldn't afford a gun. He went for the third option, which was to stab his victim. Security cameras showed the entire sequence where a man can be seen repeatedly stabbing Bonnier. Pelletier has also alluded to some mental health issues, but so far, provided no expert testimony. Pelletier said the jury had to see a particular episode of the hit Netflix series, Black Mirror, because he says they'll better understand his state of mind. There's been a lot of objection by the prosecution and questions from the judge regarding the relevancy of showing this to the jury, but so far, the court has provided the accused with a considerable amount of leeway.
CTV News
05-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
‘I killed Romane': Montreal man on trial for murder in ex-girlfriend's death admits he stabbed her
Romane Bonnier, 24, was stabbed to death in the Milton Park neighbourhood of Montreal. A man charged with first-degree murder in the death of his ex-girlfriend is defending himself before a jury and admitted to a jury that he stabbed her multiple times. During the trial, the jury heard about how François Pelletier was Romane Bonnier's roommate when the two fell in love in 2021. The relationship didn't last. But Pelletier kept calling or texting Bonnier nonstop, despite her pleas to leave her alone. The jury read the messages and watched several surveillance videos, which the media has access to. They show Pelletier following her before the attack. Pelletier is on the stand testifying in his own defence and acting as his own lawyer. He immediately appeared to admit his crime, in a cryptic, sometimes confusing testimony. 'I killed Romane, I stabbed her 26 times. Operation Wrath of Heaven was a planned assassination. But there are facts in life that need to be put in a proper context.' The accused mostly went off on ramblings, forcing the judge to interrupt him. Pelletier focused on his personal story with his alleged victim and has yet to explain his motive. 'She was just grateful. She was a great human being and a great girl. And I killed her. I killed her.' Pelletier kept wandering off topic. He brought up his suicide attempt and asked the jury to read his suicide letter but the judge warned the jurors that the content of the letter can't be treated as evidence. The trial continues Friday.
