‘One nightmare to another’ : Bellefeuille’s lawyer calls out absence of evidence, motive in cop killing

Alain Bellefeuille arriving at the L’Orignal Courthouse. Photo by TONY CALDWELL /POSTMEDIAArticle content

Prosecutors, across weeks of trial, have tried to portray Alain Bellefeuille as a monstrous cop killer who plotted and executed an ambush that had him lying in wait only to kill police at his rural home on May 11, 2023, defence lawyer Leo Russomanno told the jury in a closing address Tuesday.

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office.Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account.Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Accountor

Article content

The police call to Bellefeuille’s home was actually a wellness check after a neighbour thought he may have killed himself when she thought she heard gunfire, Russomanno continued. Turned out he didn’t, and was asleep after a long day’s work and a night of drinking when the police entered his home without announcing themselves outside.

Article content

OPP Const. Marc Lauzon entered first with gun drawn for the suicide call and said “Hello Alain, police. Hello Alain, police.” That was in the mud room and Bellefeuille was in his bedroom and grabbed his rifle out of fear, and after seeing a shadowy figure with a flashlight and gun drawn, Russomanno said. Bellefeuille crouched behind his bed and fired blindly through the bedroom walls at the armed intruders, killing one and wounding another.

Article content

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

Article content

It was 2:30 in the morning, and the only reasonable conclusion, after flashlights at the back windows and twice at the front, would be that intruders had just stormed his home, Russomanno told the jury. “This is how Alain Bellefeuille’s nightmare began. It became another nightmare, a worse nightmare when he realized he had shot a police officer.”

Article content

Bellefeuille is on trial for first-degree murder in the killing of Sgt. Eric Mueller, and attempted murder of two officers, including Lauzon.

Article content

Russomanno highlighted the gaps in the Crown’s case, the absence of evidence and notably — the absence of motive.

Article content

“Alain Bellefeuille is not a monster,” the lawyer began.

Article content

He said Bellefeuille was just a regular guy who worked hard. Had family and friends. Liked hunting and fishing. Had plans for the future. Had a dog. Had nothing against the police.

Article content

“The Crown couldn’t point to any motive Alain would have to harm the police,” Russomanno told the jury.

Article content

“Alain Bellefeuille lived through a nightmare. He will never stop punishing himself for what he did, regardless of the outcome of this case.”

Article content

That Bellefeuille killed Mueller is not in question, but his state of mind is and he says he acted in self-defence and out of panic, fear and confusion.

Article content

OPP Sgt. Eric Mueller was shot to death near Bourget, Ont., east of Ottawa, in the early-morning hours of Thursday, May 11, 2023. Photo by Ontario Provincial Police handouTArticle content

Russomanno raised the absence of evidence in the Crown’s ambush theory.

Article content

“Alain Bellefeuille had zero reason to expect police officers banging on his back door, or their presence at all. The absence of any such evidence is crucial,” Russomanno said.