By Canadian Press

No new murder trial for former Quebec judge Jacques Delisle, court rules

Apr 8, 2022 | 9:05 AM

QUEBEC — A former Quebec judge found guilty in 2012 of fatally shooting his wife and whose conviction was overturned last year by the federal justice minister won’t face a new trial.

Jacques Delisle, 86, had his application for a stay of proceedings accepted today by Quebec Superior Court Justice Jean-François Émond.

Delisle’s lawyers argued last November that a Crown expert had made serious errors in the initial pathology report that would make a retrial impossible. They also said there had been unreasonable delays in the case. 

Defence lawyer Maxime Roy told reporters today in Quebec City his client was relieved with the decision, adding that the most important thing is that Delisle is now a free man.

A former appeal court judge, Delisle was found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Marie Nicole Rainville and was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years. His appeal was dismissed in 2013, and the Supreme Court of Canada refused to hear his case.

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Delisle, who spent nine years in jail but was freed on bail last April pending a decision on a new trial, has always maintained his innocence and said his wife took her own life.

The Crown had argued Delisle killed his spouse to avoid a costly divorce and that he wanted to move in with his former secretary with whom he had been having an affair.

In April 2021, federal Justice Minister David Lametti ordered a new trial for the ex-judge after concluding a miscarriage of justice likely occurred in the case, having reviewed evidence that was not before the courts at the time of Delisle’s trial or appeal.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 8, 2022.

The Canadian Press