Quebec Halloween night sword attack trial suspended due to COVID-19 outbreak
The trial of a man charged in Quebec’s Halloween night sword attack has been postponed until next week after a second juror tested positive for COVID-19.
Carl Girouard, 26, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the killings of Suzanne Clermont, 61, and François Duchesne, 56, in the historic Old Quebec district on Oct. 31, 2020.
He is also charged with five counts of attempted murder for allegedly injuring five other people with a sword that night.
Justice Richard Grenier told the jurors in attendance Wednesday the case would be postponed until next Tuesday, which would permit 11 jury members to hear the case and allow any other juror who is positive for COVID-19 to isolate.
Grenier says he’s hopeful the trial can resume next week without any other problems and says lawyers will discuss ways of shortening the presentation of evidence.
The Criminal Code stipulates that a minimum of 10 jurors is required to deliver a verdict.
The first juror tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday.
Girouard’s trial was expected to last between four and five weeks.
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