Who killed Jimmy Méthot? A murderous teenager with a machete, a violent criminal ready to eliminate witnesses or Véronique Manceaux, then under the influence of crack? “This is not a game of Clue,” the defense argued Thursday. Nevertheless, the two men possibly committed the murder, according to the Manceaux camp.
The matter is complex. Despite several weeks of trial, the role of each protagonist remains nebulous. We know that five people were at Véronique Manceaux’s house, in Montreal, on the night of September 6, 2021. In addition to the accused, there was Abigail*, the accused’s great friend, her friend Jimmy Méthot, the career criminal Everett Roger Clayton, and his sidekick, a 17-year-old teenager.
The Crown’s case is based primarily on the testimony of Abigail*, who had consumed crack and alcohol that evening, and that of the teenager (already convicted of murder). The latter refused to testify at trial and was charged with contempt of court. His testimony at the preliminary inquiry was therefore presented to the jury.
These two accounts are “incoherent” and “incompatible”, according to the defense. The teenager says that Jimmy Méthot fled twice, while the accused accused him of being a spy. The first time, the teenager severely beat the victim. Then, during Méthot’s second escape, Véronique Manceaux killed him with a knife.
However, according to Abigail, there was only one escape attempt, involving the teenager and Véronique Manceaux. “(Abigail) tells you about a frying pan. She tells you that she knows he was stabbed, but she doesn’t know how. She has a lot of difficulty saying who did what,” noted M.e Devost Fortin.
“Are you convinced of the participation of Mr.me Manceaux? “, he told the jury.
PHOTO FILED IN COURT
It was in this living room that Véronique Manceaux allegedly beat Jimmy Méthot to death, according to Abigail. The living room floor has been cleaned.
The defense warned the jurors: Abigail and the teenager had certain “motivations” to testify like this. Abigail is also awaiting trial in this case. As for the teenager, he appears to have avoided an adult sentence of life in prison, since he was sentenced to nine years, including five years in custody, for first degree murder.
“Did he have an incentive to give a watered-down version of his participation? », asked Me Devost Fortin. The teenager was still carrying a knife at the time. He also had his machete at Véronique Manceaux’s house. This machete was also “manipulated and moved” during the evening. A witness even said that the weapon had been brandished, the defense continued.
The teenager’s mentor, Everett Roger Clayton – since dead – could also have killed Jimmy Méthot, the defense supposes, listing his numerous history of violence. Clayton wanted to kill Abigail after the death of Jimmy Méthot to eliminate her as a witness. It was Véronique Manceaux who prevented him, recalls the defense. After the murder, it was Clayton who took charge of the clean-up operation.
“He may have participated more than we want to admit,” argued the defense.
Also, his protégé, the 17-year-old teenager, may have used a knife that evening. Did the two men participate in the murder, while Véronique Manceaux did nothing? “If there remains a reasonable doubt, Véronique Manceaux must benefit from it,” concluded Ms.e Devost Fortin, who teams up with Me Fanie Lacroix.
Judge Daniel Royer will begin his instructions on Monday.
*Fictitious name
reference: www.lapresse.ca