Close X
Sunday, March 2, 2025
ADVT 
National

Quebec Man Sofiane Ghazi Seeking To Withdraw Plea For Killing Unborn Child Seeks Legal Help

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 08 Oct, 2019 06:52 PM

    MONTREAL - A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing his unborn child will have a legal aid lawyer study his attempt to withdraw his plea.

     

    Sofiane Ghazi was back in court Tuesday and told the judge he'd been unable to hire a lawyer himself, so Quebec Superior Court Justice Jean-Francois Buffoni called on legal aid to act as a "friend of the court" to assist him.

     

    Ghazi, 39, suddenly pleaded guilty on Sept. 5 — the second day of his jury trial — to reduced charges of second-degree murder of the infant boy and aggravated assault against his wife in a July 24, 2017 attack.

     

    He had initially faced charges of first-degree murder and attempted murder.

     

    The woman survived the attack, but the child, delivered by emergency C-section at the hospital, had a heartbeat for several minutes before succumbing to his injuries.

     

    But when he returned for the sentencing phase less than two weeks later, Ghazi abruptly fired his attorneys and said he wanted to withdraw his guilty pleas.

     

    On Tuesday, a legal aid lawyer said she will study the file and let the court know what she'll do next when the case resumes on Oct. 24.

     

    In an agreed statement of facts, Ghazi admitted to stabbing his wife 19 times with a carving fork — 12 times on the left side of her stomach and seven times in the upper left thigh.

     

    Of those, nine wounds were inflicted on the child in the womb — known as Baby Ghazi in court documents — and observed after his birth.

     

    Second-degree murder comes with an automatic life sentence, with a minimum of 10 years to be served before becoming eligible for parole.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Celebrity Businessman Kevin O'leary Involved In Fatal Boat Crash

    Celebrity Businessman Kevin O'leary Involved In Fatal Boat Crash
    The former star of CBC's "Dragon's Den" released a statement Wednesday saying he was "devastated" by the incident and offering his condolences to the victims' families.

    Celebrity Businessman Kevin O'leary Involved In Fatal Boat Crash

    Hong Kong: Split Emerges In Chinese-canadian Community Amid Protests

    Hong Kong: Split Emerges In Chinese-canadian Community Amid Protests
    "It was 3 a.m. and I was watching live on my computer. I can't just sit there and watch, so I have to report this somewhere immediately," recalled Wan, who is 18 and was born in Hong Kong.    

    Hong Kong: Split Emerges In Chinese-canadian Community Amid Protests

    Closing Arguments In Case Of German Tourist Shot West Of Calgary

    Closing Arguments In Case Of German Tourist Shot West Of Calgary
    CALGARY - Closing arguments are scheduled today in the trial of a youth accused of shooting a German tourist in the head on a highway west of Calgary.    

    Closing Arguments In Case Of German Tourist Shot West Of Calgary

    Murderer Who Failed To Return To N.B. Halfway House Had Been At Large Twice Before

    The Correctional Service of Canada says 66-year-old Jack Woods was serving an indeterminate sentence at Dorchester Penitentiary for manslaughter and second-degree murder.

    Murderer Who Failed To Return To N.B. Halfway House Had Been At Large Twice Before

    Lawyer For Opioid Maker Says U.s. Lawsuit Has No Binding Impact In B.C. Suit

    Lawyer For Opioid Maker Says U.s. Lawsuit Has No Binding Impact In B.C. Suit
    British Columbia Attorney General David Eby has said while the legal action in the province is against dozens of manufacturers and others, the cases are based on similar facts.

    Lawyer For Opioid Maker Says U.s. Lawsuit Has No Binding Impact In B.C. Suit

    New Grades 11-12 Curriculum Helps Students Reach Their Potential

    Students entering grades 11 and 12 in September will have more new courses and personalized learning opportunities than ever, making sure future graduates are on a path to success.

    New Grades 11-12 Curriculum Helps Students Reach Their Potential