Close X
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
ADVT 
National

Montreal Man Michel Cadotte Accused Of Smothering Ailing Wife With Pillow Says He Knew It Would Kill Her

The Canadian Press, 05 Feb, 2019 09:21 PM

    MONTREAL — Michel Cadotte, on trial for second-degree murder in the death of his ailing wife, said Tuesday he fully understood what he was doing when he smothered her with a pillow.


    Under cross-examination by Crown prosecutor Genevieve Langlois, Cadotte, 57, said he knew what he was doing before, during and after the death of his wife, Jocelyne Lizotte.


    The defence stated during its opening statement to the jury last week that Cadotte was so depressed and sleep deprived at the time that "he didn't have the freedom of choice" and that his state of mind does not support a conviction for murder.


    Cadotte testified Tuesday that he realized his actions would "cause the death" of Lizotte, 60, and that doing so was a crime.


    He admitted he understood the consequences of such a crime and added that he asked staff at the long-term care centre where Lizotte died to call 911, knowing it would lead to his arrest. He then waited for police in her room.


    Cadotte said Tuesday that on the day of the killing he was frustrated to see his wife was not receiving adequate care, which he said triggered the desire to end her life.


    Lizotte was found dead in her bed in a Montreal care centre on Feb. 20, 2017. Cadotte testified Monday that when he arrived to visit her that day, he was saddened and angry to find her hunched over in a geriatric chair with no head support. He said he cried for much of the visit as he tried to feed her.


    When she fell asleep, he said he moved her to her bed. It was as he was trying with difficulty to place a pillow under her head that he placed it over her face and suffocated her, he said. He maintained he could not stand to see her suffering.


    The defence plans to call a psychiatrist and a psychologist to testify Wednesday about Cadotte's mental state at the time of the alleged crime.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Arson Probed In Loss Of Murray Church, Fire At Second Merritt, B.C. Church

    Arson Probed In Loss Of Murray Church, Fire At Second Merritt, B.C. Church
    A nearly 150-year-old church has been destroyed by a suspicious fire in British Columbia's southern Interior, one of two blazes at Merritt-area churches early Friday.

    Arson Probed In Loss Of Murray Church, Fire At Second Merritt, B.C. Church

    Alleged Voyeur Arrested After Incident With Cellphone In UBC washroom

    A police news release says officers at the Point Grey campus were called on Jan. 3.

    Alleged Voyeur Arrested After Incident With Cellphone In UBC washroom

    Crown Lawyer Tells B.C. Bail Hearing Convicted Killer Had Time To Kill His Wife

    Crown Lawyer Tells B.C. Bail Hearing Convicted Killer Had Time To Kill His Wife
    Hank Reiner told B.C. Supreme Court that Shiffington went to an apartment in Richmond in September 1994, knowing the friend who Wanda Martin was visiting would be out briefly.

    Crown Lawyer Tells B.C. Bail Hearing Convicted Killer Had Time To Kill His Wife

    Supreme Court Set To Rule On Voting Rights For Long-Term Expat Canadians

    Supreme Court Set To Rule On Voting Rights For Long-Term Expat Canadians
    TORONTO — Long-term Canadian expats are set to find out on Friday whether a 25-year-old law barring them from voting in federal elections is constitutional.

    Supreme Court Set To Rule On Voting Rights For Long-Term Expat Canadians

    Yukon Woman's Role In Klondike Gold Rush To Be Honoured At Toronto Ceremony

    WHITEHORSE — An Indigenous woman is being inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame for the first time.

    Yukon Woman's Role In Klondike Gold Rush To Be Honoured At Toronto Ceremony

    Mike Duffy Appeals Ruling Blocking Him From Suing Senate For Suspension

    Mike Duffy Appeals Ruling Blocking Him From Suing Senate For Suspension
    Sen. Mike Duffy is asking Ontario's Court of Appeal to overturn a decision blocking him from suing the Senate for millions of dollars over his dramatic and protracted suspension without pay more than five years ago.  

    Mike Duffy Appeals Ruling Blocking Him From Suing Senate For Suspension