The first sex abuse trial of Father Brian Boucher continues today in Montreal Quebec
Yes, there in fact two trials, the one currently underway dealing with the charges stemming from the allegations of the first complainant to contact police; the second in January 2019 dealing with the allegations of two other complainants. As I understand it one of the latter two complainants testified this week during a “voire dire” . Since Boucher’s defence lawyer is apparently essentially arguing that the current complainant made it all up, the Crown hopes to present “similar fact” evidence from another complainant in order to buttress the allegations of the complainant in this trial . This was done during a voire dire – an opportunity for the Crown to present the evidence (ie., second complainant testimony) with the hope that the judge will concur that that testimony can become evidence. There were arguments presnted by both sides after hearing the similar fact evidence pro and con the judge. The judge is supposed to rule today as to whether or not he/she will allow the testimony of that second complainant to stand as evidence. I see no reports regarding the ruling as yet. If anyone sees or hears something please post or let me know.
There are a series of articles regarding the testimony of the complainants:
20 November 2018: “‘I blocked it out,’ alleged victim testifies in sexual abuse trial of Fr. Brian Boucher” & related article
20 November 2018: Second man testifies at Montreal priest’s sexual assault trial
Reading the accounts of complainants never gets easier, does it?It never gets easier
Please keep all the complainants in your prayers.
*****
The following three names have been added to the list of Accused:
(1) Father Arthur Lavoie omi
Father Albert Lavoie was an Oblate priest wo served in Northern Ontario for most if not all of his priesthood. He was ordained in 1932, and died in 1991. He is identified as a serial sexual abuse of children in the following legal document:
01September 2017: Lavoie Larry Philip Fontaine et al and The Attorney General of Canada et al – Factum of the Appellants re St Annes Indian Residential School
Please keep the victims in your prayers.
(2) Father Edward Cormier
Father Edward Cormier was a priest with the Archdiocese of Moncton New Brunswick. He was ordained in 1949. As you see, my information regarding the allegations – and Father Cormier himself – is very limited. Any further information is most welcome.
Please keep the victims in your prayers.
(3) Father Paul Avallone SDB
Father Avallone was a Salesian priest (Salesians of Don Bosco) wh served in boys schools operated by the Salesians in both Canada and the United States. Avallone’s name appears on the list of credibly accused recently posted by the Archdiocese of New Orleans on its website .
The time frame listed for abuse perpetrated by Avallone is the late 50s to early 60s. Father Avallone served in Canada from 1955 to 1960. I beleive it is fair to conclude that Father Avallone was molesting during the years he spent at St. Patrick High School in Sherbrooke, Quebec.
I have no idea when Salesian officials first became aware that Avallone was a child molester, but I will say that I got chills as I put this information together and saw the revered priest transferred from St. Patrick’s in Sherbrooke to serve in other boys schools in the United States.
Please keep the victims in your prayers.
*****
Happy Thanksgiving to those of you in the United States 🙂
Enough for now,
Sylvia