Former Quebec police officer Maxime Lehoux was found guilty by a jury for the second time Friday afternoon of sexually assaulting a co-worker during a party several years ago.
The former Quebec City Police Service (SPVQ) agent received a second trial in the case after convincing the Court of Appeal to overturn the first guilty verdict in 2021.
A new jury was formed on January 15th. The seven women and five men who had been deliberating since Thursday afternoon came to the same conclusion as the first: guilty of sexual assault.
“We are very satisfied and are particularly happy for the victim in the case, who showed enormous courage,” said prosecutor Claudia Carbonneau.
While sleeping
The facts date back to the night of December 15, 2016, after a drunken evening with colleagues organized at a chalet in Stoneham at Christmas. The focus of the dispute was the consent and credibility of the witnesses.
The victim said he fell asleep in a bedroom after falling ill. When she woke up, she was naked while Maxime Lehoux penetrated her without a condom. Then she asked him to stop.
Rather, the defense argued that the woman had actively participated in sexual intercourse and that Lehoux, now 33 years old, had not noticed any signs that made him doubt her consent.
“Like us, he is disappointed,” reacted his lawyer Me Charles Levasseur. We were still convinced by the evidence we presented, we were convinced by our arguments. Obviously the jury has spoken and we can only respect the jury’s decision.”
Psychosexual assessment
A psychosexual assessment was requested for the sentencing, as the originally imposed 18-month prison sentence no longer applies.
In June, the appeals court ordered a new trial, finding that the judge in the first trial had given an “incorrect and legally incomplete” answer to jury questions.
Me Levasseur declined to comment on the possibility of re-appealing the case.
Other folder
Recall that Lehoux, who left the police profession to become a construction project manager, is currently on appeal in another case in which he was also found guilty of sexual assault.
In the present case, he is accused of taking advantage of the advanced state of intoxication of an acquaintance he met in a bar to attack her after accompanying her home in February 2018.
He remains released on conditions pending further court proceedings.
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