Death of Tricia Boisvert: he pleads guilty to manslaughter

Photo courtesy
Philippe Steele-Morin

Michael Nguyen

Friday, December 8, 2017 11:56

UPDATE
Friday, December 8, 2017 11:56

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The Ontario who had killed the Montreal Tricia Boisvert before you dispose of a corpse in the Outaouais has finally pleaded guilty to a reduced charge Friday.

“Yes, I admit,” murmured Philippe Steele-Morin, head low, while her murder trial was set to begin next month, at the courthouse of Montreal.

The accused 34-year-old has chosen to admit the manslaughter and the outrages committed on the dead body of his friend, of the acts committed in January 2014 in Montreal.

At this time, Steele-Morin was wanted by the police in Ontario for non-compliance of terms and conditions. He had then contacted his long time friend, Ms. Boisvert, the provided drug.

“I believe that it is put in the m**** “had then told Ms. Boisvert has a girlfriend, according to the agreed statement of facts obtained by The Journal de Montreal.

Alcohol and drug

The 36 year old woman has finally agreed to help Steele-Morin, who was with a friend. She welcomed them to his home in the rue Notre-Dame, in Montreal, and they all three began to drink the alcohol that Steele-Morin was reported.

In the course of the evening, Mrs. Boisvert, and Steele-Morin have found themselves alone. They drank both vodka, and Ms. Boisvert consumed also of the speed, according to the court document. They then went to a bar to continue drinking.

“They have spoken of the sale of narcotics, the atmosphere was light and the victim was in a good mood, she was excited to go on vacation the following week”, explained in the courtroom, the prosecutor Delphine Mauger.

Strangulation

At the back of the bar, Steele-Morin collapsed on the sofa and fell asleep. He recalled having been woken up by Ms. Boisvert, who was dropping his pants. His reflex was to push it back, according to the court document admitted by both the accused and the Crown.

“Later, he woke up with the victim on top of him, has explained to Me Mauger. He remembers vaguely having struck and thrust. He was heavily intoxicated, and he remembers vaguely of the events.”

This is the morning, waking up, that Steele-Morin has discovered the lifeless body of her friend. The autopsy will reveal that Ms. Boisvert is dead strangled.

Panic

Steele-Morin was then realized that it was “probably” responsible for the death of Ms. Boisvert. But instead of calling the police, he panicked.

He has called friends to find out what to do. One of them would not answer the phone, but a woman has agreed to come to Ottawa for help, not knowing that Steele-Morin, wanted to get rid of a corpse.

In panic, the accused left the apartment of his victim, forgetting to take the keys. To return, he had to break a window, leaving traces of DNA for the police. Her friend from Ottawa is then arrival and saw Steele-Morin throwing up.

“He said that he had killed his girlfriend and that she [Ms. Boisvert] didn’t deserve it,” says the court document.

Defile the corpse

Steele-Morin was then put the corpse of his victim in the car and headed to Ottawa. He subsequently obtained the help of a friend, James Butcher, to get rid of the corpse.

“The accused has suggested to James Butcher to cut out the body, make a hole in the ice in the St. Lawrence and lay the parts of the corpse to the water, has explained to Me Mauger. It has also been proposed to burn the corpse.”

Except that Boucher did not like the idea. He then proposed to get rid of the body on land belonging to his family in the Outaouais region. Steele-Morin, who was vomiting, was accepted. It was on January 20, 2014, three days after the homicide.

“They have placed the body under planks of plywood,” says the agreed statement of facts.

The body was eventually found three days later, and Steele-Morin has been arrested and charged. James Butcher, age 35, for its part, had pleaded guilty to complicity after the fact, and to defile a corpse, scooping of 27 months of detention.

But if the lawyers agreed that Steele-Morin pleaded guilty to a reduced charge, they have not yet agreed to determine the punishment which the accused should be hurt.

At the request of Me Alan Guttman, the arguments on sentencing will take place in February. By then, Steele-Morin will remain in pretrial detention.