Former teacher, Cornwall, Ontario. Previously charged and convicted three times. New charges laid February 2014. Allegations of sex abuse against Lalonde and the subsequent police investigations – or lack thereof – of those charges was the subject of much testimony at the Cornwall Public Inquiry.
Marcel Lalonde was once married. He molested at least one of his victims both before and after he, Lalonde, was married. That victim, who was also molested by Father Charles MacDonald, testified at the Cornwall Public Inquiry under the moniker “C-6.” C-6′ brother was molested by Lalonde and probation officer Ken Seguin.
Lalonde was a good friend of Ken Seguin an ex-seminarian turned probation officer at the heart of the Cornwall sex abuse scandal. Seguin committed suicide November 1993. There have been numerous out of court settlements to men alleging sex abuse at the hands of Ken Seguin. Lalonde has been living with his male partner for many years .
February 2014: New charges laid. These charges date to the Fall of 1989. The botched Cornwall Police Service investigation into other allegations against Lalonde was January 1989 (that’s the “investigation” which went nowhere – CAS was not notified of the allegations, nor was the school at which Lalonde was then teaching, nor was Lalonde interviewed. Nothing was done. Six complainants, and nothing done)
13 January 2015: after a preliminary hearing Lalonde was committed to stand trial in Ontario Superior Court of Justice
There seem to have been issues getting this case to trial. After a preliminary hearing in January 2015 Lalonde was ordered to stand trial. For reasons unknown, a three day trial set for June 2016 never got off the ground. Again, for reasons unknown, a four day trial set for December 2016 ended up as day one of a trial which was scheduled to be continued November 2017. Unfortunately there was no media coverage so we really have no idea what is happening. As it stands now (January 2017), Marcel Lalonde was be back in court in November 2017 for the continuation of trial which started 12 December 2017.
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16 November 2017: BLOG That Crown has become a defence lawyer
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At Trial
Defence: Don Johnson Judge: Justice Laurie Lacelle Crown: Claudette Breault
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Next court date: 06 December 2017: 10 am, VERDICT, Cornwall, Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W., );14 -17 November & 06 December 2017: 10 am, continuation of TRIAL which commenced 12 Dec. 2016, Cornwall, Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W., ) ;19 January 2017: 10 am, to set next date for continuation of TRIAL which commenced 12 Dec. 2016, Cornwall, Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W., ) ; 12 December 2016: 10 am, Day ONE of trial (unsure what is happening here, but there is a court date for this date, and the previously scheduled four-day trial is no longer on the books ), TRIAL, Cornwall, Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W., ); 09 February 2016: status check (on June trial) Cornwall, Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W., )
27-30 June 2016: TRIAL, Cornwall, Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W., Cornwall)
13 April 2015: 10 am, Assignment Court, Cornwall, Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W.) ; 13 April 2015: 2 pm, pre-trial hearing (NOT) open to the public, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Cornwall, Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W.); 12 February 2015: 10 am, Assignment Court, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Cornwall, Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W.) ; 09 February 2015: 09:oo am, Assignment Court,Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Cornwall, Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W.) ; 13 January 2015: Preliminary hearing, 10 am, Cornwall, Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W.) ; 15 May 2014: 09:00 am, “to be spoken to,” Cornwall, Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W.) ; 29 April 2014: 09:00 am, courtroom #2,”to set date,” Cornwall, Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W.) ; 25 March 2014: 09:00 am, courtroom #2, first appearance, Cornwall, Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W.); 20 February 2014: 09:00 am, courtroom #2, first appearance, Cornwall, Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W.)
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The Marcel Lalonde investigation
Don Johnson was the Crown at the time of the botched Cornwall Police “investigation” – later, after he became a defence lawyer, Johnson represented Marcel Lalonde.
When Johnson was called upon to testify at the Cornwall Public Inquiry he was at the time representing Lalonde. This was problematic due to issues of solicitor client privilege and Johnson’s concerns that he might be asked questions which would violate his solicitor/client privilege. Lawyers were, however, allowed to proceed to ask some questions which were deemed to be ‘safe.’ Here, for those interested, is the transcript:
07 January 2009: Transcript of Don Johnson testimony at the Cornwall Public Inquiry
Here, again for those interested, are the transcripts of Constable Kevin Malloy’s testimony at the Cornwall Public Inquiry. Both transcripts address Malloy’s January 1989 “investigation” :
23 April 2008: Transcript of Kevin Malloy testimony at Cornwall Public Inquiry
22 April 2008: Transcript of Kevin Malloy testimony at the Cornwall Public Inquiry
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05 February 2002: Ontario College of Teachers revoke Marcel Lalonde’s certificates of qualification and registration
David Silmser’s sex abuse allegations against Marcel Lalonde were never investigated by Cornwall police.
C-6 testified at Cornwall Public Inquiry that he was sexually abused by Father Charles MacDonald and Marcel Lalonde
C-8 alleged he was sexually abused by Marcel Lalonde. He later recanted part of his testimony regarding abuse on a trip to Toronto claiming Perry & Helen Dunlop forced him to say that or that it was suggested he say that. C-8 molested his niece – charges were never laid.
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Media coverage and BLOGS
05 December 2017: BLOG Verdict in Cornwall tomorrow
03 December 2017: BLOG Three court dates this week
20 November 2017: BLOG I will be writing that book
17 November 2017: BLOG Wrapped up today
16 November 2017: BLOG That Crown has become a defence lawyer
12 December 2016: BLOG Saint Boniface priest under investigation
03 July 2016: Marcel Lalonde sex-offences trial postponed
12 January 2009: BLOG None so blind
09 December 2008: BLOG Back in La La Land
04 December 2008: The bewitching hour
17 November 2008: BLOG A proud moment 09 October 2008: BLOG Does anyone recall?
13 February 2009: BLOG Thoughts
03 June 2008: BLOG He’s hurt?
13 May 2008: BLOG Who’s in jail?
24 April 2008: BLOG Annoyed to no end
23 April 2008: BLOG Small wonder
24 August 2007: BLOG Collective amnesia?
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13 January 2015: committed to stand trial in Ontario Superior Court of Justice after Preliminary Hearing
February 2014: New charges laid
November 2008: New charges of indecent assault of teenage boy dating to the 1970s
May 2001: sentenced to two years less a day for sexually assaulting four of his former students between 1971 and 1983. The sentence was broken down to 15 months in jail and nine months of house arrest. He was given 2:1 credit for the 5 months already served in custody.
September 2000: trial
05 October 1999: Cst. Desrosier discovered for the first time that a CPS investigation of Lalonde had taken place in 1989. This became a matter for disclosure
04 October 1999: Day one of the trial defence requested and was granted a further adjournment complaining it had not received complete disclosure of documents which Perry Dunlop had in his possession (years down-stream after Dunlop was painted as the rogue cop and villified in and out of court it was discovered that a multitude of documents which Dunlop had been accused of withholding had in fact been disclosed and in short, with both the OPP and CPS involved and a Project Truth investigation under way one – at best the left arm didn’t know what the right was doing. )
February 1999: Trial adjourned to 04 October 1999 with defense seeking disclosure of notes from meetings Perry Dunlop may have had with C-8
January 1998: preliminary hearing dealt with both OPP and CPS charges
April 1997: charged by Cornwall Police Service with 16 sex-related offences on six different males aged 13 to 16
several victims had said that Lalonde had taken nude pictures of them. By the time CPS executed a search warrant Lalonde had already been charged by the OPP, and all that was found was a five albums of fully-clothed teens aged 15-17 drinking alcohol in Lalonde’s home. There were five pictures of a nude male, but Const. Desrosier thought that male to be over age 18. OPP officers also viewed the albums.
May 1997: file transferred to Brockville Crown’s office
January 1997: charged by OPP
January 1989: Constable Malloy decided – with agreement of Crown Don Johnson – that there were not reasonable and probable grounds to charge Lalonde over sex abuse allegations from C-37. Malloy also decided – with agreement of Crown Don Johnson – that the sex was consensual. There were also sex allegations against Lalonde from C-57, C-58, C-60, C-61, and C-65 which Malloy testified he planned to investigate further. Constable Malloy asked Staff Sgt Wells if the Lalonde file could be placed in abeyance for a spell because he wanted to interview the suspect. That was the end of the “investigation,” – until 1996! In the interim Lalonde continued to teach. School officials were not notified of the allegations. Children’s Aid Society was not notified. Don Johnson, the former Crown attorney turned defence lawyer, defended Lalonde at his sex abuse trial Was active with Glenn Productions, an amateur theatre group which staged about five plays a year, most of which were musicals. I’m not sure if the company is still active? At least one victim met Lalonde at Glenn Productions.
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Cornwall man charged with alleged 1989 sexual assault
CFRA 580 am
Cornwall Police have charged a 65-year-old man with historic sex crimes involving a young boy. Police say a victim came forward to them in October to report that he was sexually assaulted in the fall of 1989 when he was 11 years old. Marcel Lalonde has been charged with sexual assault and sexual interference. He is scheduled to appear in court on February 20th.
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Man charged with sexual assault
Cornwall Standard Freeholder
CORNWALL – A Cornwall man has been arrested and charged with sexual assault and sexual interference relating from an incident that happened in the fall of 1989. Marcel Lalonde, 65, allegedly inappropriately touched and sexually assaulted an 11-year-old male who was known to him. This is not the first time Lalonde, a former teacher, was arrested. In 2001 Lalonde was convicted of six counts of sexual assault against several of his students at Bishop MacDonell School from 1971 to 1983 and in 2008 he faced a charge of indecent assault on a 14-year-old male stemming from an incident in 1974. Lalonde was charged and released and is scheduled to appear in Cornwall court on Feb. 20.
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Cornwall police lay charges in historic sex assault investigation
Cornwall Seaway News
Police allege Marcel Lalonde inappropriately touched and sexually assaulted an 11-year-old male in the fall of 1989.Reports indicate that Lalonde and the victim knew each other.The accused attended police headquarters on Jan. 22 to deal with the matter. He was arrested and charged with sexual assault and sexual interference.Lalonde is scheduled to appear in court on February 20.
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Sex assault charge dates to the 1970s
The Cornwall Standard Freeholder Thursday, November 13, 2008 9:38:28 EST AM
A convicted sex offender faces a charge of indecent assault against a teenage boy dating back to the 1970s. Sixty-year-old Marcel Lalonde, a former schoolteacher in Cornwall, was arrested on the charge a week ago by Cornwall police after investigators found evidence the man allegedly touched a 14-year-old male. The assault reportedly took place in March of 1974 during a sleepover at a local residence. Deputy Chief of Police Danny Aikman said the complainant contacted police to report the incident. Lalonde was arrested on Nov. 6, charged and released to appear in court on Dec. 8. The former teacher was convicted in the spring of 2001 on six counts of sexual assault against several of his students at Bishop MacDonell School. The charges were based on incidents alleged to have occurred from 1971 to 1983. Out of a total of 14 charges, Lalonde was found not guilty of six others and another was stayed. Lalonde was sentenced to two years custody to be served partially in jail and partially in the community. (With staff files)
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Cornwall teacher sentenced for sex abuse
CBC News Posted: May 04, 2001 7:57 AM ET Last Updated: May 04, 2001 8:57 PM ET A school teacher in Cornwall, Ont., has been sentenced to two years less a day for sexually assaulting four of his former students.
Marcel Lalonde’s sentence will be made up of 15 months in jail and nine months of house arrest. The 51-year-old was given two-for-one credit because he has already served 5 months in custody. That means he will only remain in prison for four more months. Six of seven complainants who testified during last fall’s trial were members of his home-room class during the period of abuse. The case is important because of a connection to an ongoing police investigation into widespread sexual abuse. Judge Monique Metivier described the case as “an egregious breach of trust.” The judge said sexual assault, especially against vulnerable teenage boys, is a violent crime. And with that, an unrepentant Lalonde was sent back to jail. The Lalonde case is important for a couple of reasons. It is a confirmation that sexual abuse did in fact occur in the community over a period of years, and it reveals a connection to a police investigation, code-named Project Truth. A number of Lalonde’s victims are complainants in a case involving a key figure in Project Truth. So far, more than 20 men have been charged, some of them prominent citizens in Cornwall.
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Tearful defendant takes the stand
The Kingston Whig Standard 27 September 2000 CORNWALL – A nervous Marcel Lalonde dabbed his eyes with a tissue and struggled to control himself as he took the stand in his sex trial yesterday. The 51-year-old teacher is facing 14 sex counts involving seven male complainants for incidents alleged to have occurred from 1971 to 1983. Lalonde denied assaulting four of the complainants, whose identities are protected by a publication ban, when questioned by his lawyer Rich Evenson. “I didn’t do it,” he repeatedly stated. Two weeks ago, one of the complainants testified Lalonde took photographs of him, including some where he was sleeping nude. Lalonde admitted he took the photos but said the man consented and was only pretending to sleep. “He requested that he look like he’s sleeping. He’s straight,” said Lalonde, a homosexual. The complainant, who as a teenager had left home, moved in with Lalonde for a couple of months.
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The Ottawa Citizen 30 April 1997 A 48-year-old high school teacher from Cornwall has been charged with 16 sex-related offences on six different males aged 13 to 16 and will appear at a bail hearing today. The assaults allegedly took place between June 1971 and July 1983, while Marcel Lalonde, of Lasalle Road in Cornwall, was a teacher at a local high school.
Those who followed the Cornwall Public Inquiry will be interested in this: Marcel Lalonde has been charged – again.
Lalonde has been convicted three times – usually winds up with an ankle bracelet, but I think once upon a time he may have spent a few months in jail?
I have started a re-do for the Marcel Lalonde page and added a few links to Blogs in which he was referenced in the past. Time permitting I will add more information. (If you do a Search of the site you will find lots of links. There was much testimony about Lalonde and the manner in which allegations against him were handled )
To the complainant, I commend you. You found the courage to contact police. Charges have been laid. Well done! My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Why is this sick twisted creature still on the lose? For God’s sake, lock him up! Mike.
Start time for Marcel Lalonde’s Thursday 20 February 2014 courtdate is 09:00 am, in courtroom #2, first appearance. The courthouse address is: 29 Second St. W.. Cornwall, Ontario. Keep the complainant in your prayers
Marcel Lalonde’s next court date is:
25 March 2014: 09:00 am, courtroom #2, first appearance, Cornwall, Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W.)
Yes, it’s for “first appearance” again. I have no idea what happened on the 20th aside the fact it was adjourned to 25 March. That is not uncommon. Frustrating, but not at all uncommon.
Keep the complainant in your prayers.
The next court date for Marcel Lalonde is:
29 April 2014: 09:00 am, courtroom #2, “to set a date”
Sorry, but I don’ know what date is to be set for what. It could be for a preliminary hearing? – but seems awfully early for that. All I can say is that we will know after the 29th
The next court date for Marcel Lalonde is:
15 May 2014: 09:00 am, “to be spoken to,” Cornwall, Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W.)
Marcel Lalonde has been committed to stand trial in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
Lalonde’s next court date is:
09 February 2015: 09:oo am, Assignment Court, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Cornwall, Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W.)
This starts the court date process again in the Superior Court of Justice. Eventually there will/should be a trial date set, but usually there are a few courtdates before an actual trial date is set.
Please keep the complainant in your prayers. It is a relief for him I am sure that Lalonde has been committed to stand trial ( That means that the judge determined that there was sufficient evidence to go to trial.) I had dearly wanted to get down to Cornwall for this preliminary so I could get personally hear the evidence and testimony, but, unfortunately, circumstances did not permit.
Anyway, there it is. Convicted molester and former Catholic school teacher is heading to trial, – again!
Let’s not for a moment forget that these charges post-date the botched Cornwall Police investigation of Lalonde in early 1989. That “investigation” or whatever it was went nowhere – Lalonde was left at large. The allegations of this current complainant date to the Fall of 1989.
Marcel Lalonde’s next court date is tomorrow:
12 February 2015: 10 am, Assignment Court, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Cornwall, Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W.)
Marcel Lalonde’s next court date is:
13 April 2015: 2 pm, pre-trial hearing (NOT) open to the public, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Cornwall, Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W.)
Note: this is a hearing conducted in chambers. It is NOT open to the public.
‘Evening Sylvia –
Just found these notes of yours on Marcel Lalonde…Thanks!
Brian.
Morning Sylvia –
Any word on what transpired at Superior Court on Monday?
Monday was closed to public. I just called the courthouse for next courtdate. It’s TOMORROW.
16 April 2015: 10 am, Assignment Court, Cornwall, Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W.)
This is open to the public. It is a step in setting a date for trial. The date may or may not be set tomorrow.
I will add the info to the page and the Legal Calendar. I encourage those who can do so to attend. It probably will take a matter of a few minutes, but depends on when his case is called.
Please keep the complainant in your prayers.
Hi Sylvia – Any further info on Marcel Lalonde?
Marcel Lalonde’s trial is scheduled for June 2016. He has a court day a few months ahead just to check on how things are going in preparation of trial.
Here are the two courtdates:
09 February 2016: status check (on June trial) Cornwall, Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W.)
27-30 June 2016: TRIAL, Cornwall, Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W.)
Those in the Cornwall area who are within driving distance mark your calendars!
Please everyone keep the compliant in your prayers – that is a long wait.
The four-day trial of Marcel Lalonde has been reschedueld to begin in December of this year:
12-15 December 2016: 10 am, TRIAL, Cornwall, Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W.)
Another long wait. Please keep the complainant in your prayers.
Marcel Lalonde trial delayed again!!!! Government spent 55 mil to make sure things like this don’t happen again yet victims are still being let down, and failed by that city. so sad
Thank you aaa.
What a shame! I wonder what this delay is all about?
Anyway, I am trying to get the new trial dates – just called the courthouse but unable to get through to right person and unable to leave a message so will try again. As soon as I have word I will post.
Please keep the complainant and victims in your prayers
The next court date for Marcel Lalonde is:
19 January 2016: 10 am, to set next date for continuation of TRIAL which commenced 12 Dec. 2016, Cornwall, Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W., )
Did the actual trial – with witnesses and testimony start yesterday (12 Dec. ’16)? This is so strange. Anyway, witness above, there is now a court date set to set the next days for continuation of the trial.
Please keep the complainant in your prayers.
A date to set a date??? Crazy!
Thought the trial was to go till tomorrow 15th. Wonder why it adjourned early.
B.
My understanding is that it had changed from a four-day to a one-day trial before the “trial” started. Why the change I have no idea. Hopefully when when the trial resumes some time next year we will find out?
This is unbelievable.
Here is the next court date for Marcel Lalonde:
14 -17 November & 06 December 2017: 10 am, continuation of TRIAL which commenced 12 Dec. 2016, Cornwall, Ontario courthouse (29 Second St. W., )
That’s correct. This is a continuation of the Lalonde trial which commenced 12 December 2016 and lasted one day. So, nearly one full year later, the trial continues, for four days, and then, another wee break of a couple of weeks and back for the final day.
These charges were laid February 2014. By the time it’s over nearly four full years will have passed. Four years!!! I hope and pray that the Crown has ensured that there is no way on God’s green earth that Lalonde can “walk” on claims that his Charter rights to a speedy trial have been violated.
I would guess that this has been not only a long but also very difficult, confusing and frustrating journey for the complainant. Please keep him in your prayers.
This boggles the mind for sure.
Thnx for the update, Sylvia.
Any updates?
I posted this early early this morning Ben: Trial is moving along
As you see, the trial continues at noon today (the Crown had a commitment of some sort this morning so a decisionw s made to start at noon. I believe the plan is to continue with the standard one hours lunch break. Defence has two more witnesses to call – it sounds as though they will not take much time.
Tomorrow both defence and the Crown will deliver their closing arguments/submissions. In essence each side will use the evidence presented at trial to argue his/her case: the Crown that Marcel Lalonde is guilty, and defence that Lalonde should be acquitted. The day will start at 10 am.
The trial has moved along faster than anticipated. 05 December 2017 had also been booked for testimony. That day is no longer required, however the judge has decided that it could be a good day for her to deliver her verdict. So, tomorrow will be closing arguments, and the judge will probably render her verdict 06 December 2017.
Later today I will post a few comments about yesterday’s testimony. There is a publication ban on the name of the complainant and anything which would identify him so my comments will be made in keeping with the ban.
Marcel Lalonde
The empty courtroom is a telling statement.
It has become the ‘new norm’ People are becoming desensitized to this violent criminality despite its legacy of suffering and misery for the victims.
I believe we now need to investigate and prosecute those who enabled, facilitated, covered and denied on behalf of the criminal paedophile and abuser.
Then we may have this matter dealt with in a manner which calls to account all those who have abused the child and not just the abuser himself
sad day in Cornwall
A sad day indeed Luke!
Not a good week so far….. some day we will see justice…… too many of us are getting robbed of it!
You’re right Joe. Not a good week. And, yes, some day …. Bit by bit. It’s a little like that joke: How do you eat an elephant? one bite at a time. It’s really not a joke though. There’s truth there.