A hit and wants to make advertising on the dangers of drinking and driving

Roger Gagnon | QMI Agency
Yves Martin

Jean-François Tremblay

Tuesday, 17 October 2017 11:17

UPDATE
Tuesday, 17 October 2017 11:25

Look at this article

Yves Martin, the hit and sentenced to 14 years in prison after killing a family while driving, has proposed to give lectures in schools and advertise about the dangers of drinking and driving.

“He submitted his opening to make commercials at all. It may be to the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) on drinking and driving and the consequences, not only on the victims but on the people who take a motor vehicle in the drink, one evening,” said his lawyer, Me Jean-Marc Fradette.

In August 2015, Yves Martin has killed a man, his pregnant wife and their four year old son in the area of Chicoutimi in Saguenay with a bac that was at least two times higher than the limit, according to the evidence presented at his trial. The accused had denied being responsible for the tragedy, claiming that the other driver set out on his road. He had also said that it was “normal and fasting”.

Last January, the man, 37-year-old had been sentenced to 14 years in prison.

A first

In Quebec, the idea to allow a detainee who has committed a serious crime to appear in a advertising would be a first.

“We haven’t even thought of using a defendant who has caused the damage, real damage on the lives of the people. Maybe for modesty? I don’t know, but it may be rendered here,” says Me Fradette.

As for the conferences in the schools, Martin would expect to do with young people of the second cycle of secondary school and the cegep.

“It may be interesting that an individual such as Mr. Martin vienna speak out on the dangers of raising the head one night and take the life of the people,” believes his lawyer.

His two suggestions have been well received by his case management officer.

“The reason why he wants to do it ? By a sincere regard for the damage he has caused to the company. I think that this will be considered very serious by his agent,” adds Me Fradette.

Before that the two proposals are allowed, the correctional services must, among other things, monitor its journey at the inside of the walls, to make approaches to schools and advertisers and check what would be his message.

The question of security must also be addressed.

“We will evaluate the ability of the person to be able to give this type of conference. It can be part of a rehabilitation plan. I do not say to you that Mr. Martin did that in order to have faster output. You can’t hide that this will be an argument in favour,” admits Me Fradette.

Within a year and a half to two years, Yves Martin may be eligible for temporary release. It is in these opportunities that her lawyer believes it’s possible to include conferences and advertisements.