Quebec election shooter gets 20 years
MONTREAL — Quebec’s 2012 election-night shooter was motivated by politics, fuelled by hatred toward separatists and should spend at least 20 years behind bars before parole eligibility, a judge ruled Friday.
Richard Henry Bain was found guilty of second-degree murder in August, convicted by a jury in the killing of lighting technician Denis Blanchette outside the Métropolis nightclub as then premier-designate Pauline Marois was inside delivering a victory speech to Parti Québécois faithful.
He was also found guilty of three counts of attempted murder.
Superior Court Justice Guy Cournoyer said Friday the political nature of the offences justified the lengthy period of time before parole eligibility.
“In an uncharacteristic display of planned murderous violence and hatred for those he described as separatists, Mr. Richard Henry Bain attempted to change the results of the election and the course of history,” Cournoyer said.
Bain is also prohibited from owning firearms for life.
Second-degree murder carries a sentence of life imprisonment, but the parole eligibility can range between 10 and 25 years.
The defence had suggested the minimum for Bain, 66, while the Crown had sought the maximum 25 years.
During the trial, Bain’s lawyer had argued his client was mentally ill when he fired a single shot in the direction of the technicians working outside the Métropolis on election night.
But the Crown argued that Bain, who shouted “The English are waking up” as he was arrested in a blue bathrobe, was of sound mind and motivated by politics.
Cournoyer said there were “clear elements of forethought and planning” to Bain’s actions that made his actions closer to first-degree murder than to manslaughter.
Bain’s lawyer Alan Guttman, said he was disappointed with the ruling, which he likened to “almost a death sentence,” given his client’s age.
Guttman, who had presented a defence of non-criminal responsibility during the trial, said there is a “very good possibility” that he will appeal.