Jury selection began today for the trial of a 57-year-old Montreal North man charged with the second degree murder of his wife who was suffering from Alzheimer's.
The wife of Michel Cadotte, 60-year-old Jocleyne Lizotte was found dead at the Émile-Gamelin long term care home in the Ville Marie borough in February 2017.
Cadotte's request for medically assisted dying for Lizotte a year earlier had been refused.
As Quebec Superior Court Justice Hélène Di Salvo told over 300 jury candidates those details, one of them could heard murmuring, "Oh, yes, yes," as he appeared to recall the highly publicized case.
Potential jurors would be asked about their knowledge of the case, Di Salvo said.
The trial is expected to last six to seven months. The crown said it will call nearly 20 witnesses.
People who can be exempt include those 65 and over, who have a criminal record, who are not Canadian citizens, or who have mental health problems.
Those who don't want to sit on the jury have to have a valid reason, such as medical or professional reasons.
Some who were exempted include independent small business owners who said they couldn't take time off work; others said they had family commitments; and some said their french wasn't good enough - the trial will be held in French.
Twelve jurors will be chosen along with two substitutes.
The trial could officially begin tomorrow if the jury is chosen by the end of the day.
The crown prosecutors in the case are Geneviève Langlois and Antonio Parapuf while Cadotte is represented by Elfride Duclervil and Nicolas Welt.
Cadotte was accompanied by family and friends. He is free on bail.