In August of 2007 Montrealers were in total shock when they heard that a 79-year-old nun was beaten to death by one of the very people she was trying to help. What kind of maniac could do this sort of thing, many Montrealers wondered? Though all vicious murders are horrible, there is just something more shocking and more revolting when the victim is a child or an elderly person. Then to add the fact that it was a woman who dedicated her life to serving God and serving the Montreal community make it even worst. No one could fathom what kind of person could do such a thing.
Sister Estelle Lauzon worked at the Sisters of Providence Convent on Fullum Street and her murderer was a resident of the halfway house by the name of Martin Rondeau. Rondeau was known to have a history of mental illness though what type of mental illness was never reported to the public at the time.
After the murder Rondeau was incarcerated at the Institut Phillipe-Pinel de Montreal in Rivieres des Prairies during his pre-trial. Pinel is an institution for the mentally ill who commit crimes. Rondeau was suffering from bipolar disorder. However, the psychiatrists and criminologists observed that he also suffered from very violent epileptic seizures. Even the inmates and staff would attest to the violent attacks he suffered through the night.
Quebec Superior Court Justice, Guy Cournoyer, took all this information into consideration when he ruled that Rondeau would not be held criminally responsible for the death due to his medical and psychiatric condition.
The crown prosecutor Louis Bouthillier, stated that it is very rare that epileptics attack others during an attack. However, the psychiatrists at Pinel Institute state that it was very likely Lauzon was having one when he killed Sister Lauzon. Bouthillier is satisfied with this conclusion.
Though Rondeau will not be held criminally responsible, he will most likely remain in the psychiatric hospital. That is, if he does not recover from his epilepsy and bipolar disorder. If his epilepsy and mental illness can be kept under control then he may be free to rejoin the community.
What do Montrealers think of the outcome of the trial proceedings? It is most probably a mixed bag of opinions. However, the Sisters of Providence have forgiven him for the murder of their beloved sister in the faith, Estelle Lauzon.
Sources:
CTV News
Comments
This is truly a very sad and trajic story.
What a tragic story. So sad...
Wow, this is a shocking and tragic story.
This is very sad!
We cannot question the decision of the Sisters to forgive Rondeau. Under the circumstances, Sister Estelle would probably have wanted it that way. I know from my education a little of what epilepsy can do to a person, and what it can drive him to. Sister Estelle might have known it, too, and probably took the same attitude that Saint Stephen is recorded to have taken.
A very sad story and one of true forgiveness.
Very sad.
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My heart goes out to all parties involved. I have suffered from grand mal seizures and epilepsy for 14 years. I do not the terrible burdens this disease can cause. However, as hard as it is to believe, I don't believe it can cause murder. It's a very sad story. To be a public servant to others is truly a commendable deed that can cost our own life in the end. May all be blessed and comforted through this tragedy.
As sad as it may be, forgiveness allows for the pain to pass and for those who can give it, to move on.
I am not so sure I could find it in myself to forgive like this - these are amazing people. Tragic event for sure.
So very sad.
I'm not a religious person, but I know this depth of forgiveness does take a big heart.
This is indeed sad. My view is that in reaching out to this mentally ill person Sister Estelle was like a rescuer who risks her own life to try to save a drowning person. Mental illness is morally equivalent to an act of nature. The court did the right thing; he is not criminally responsible for his act, but nor can he return to society unless and until he is cured.
This man will be punished by his own conscience. If he remembers the incident, he will be haunted by it which is punishment enough. He may be forgiven, but he may never forgive himself. I'm glad the court was merciful.
I remember hearing about this when it happened. So terribly sad for everyone.
Interesting article. What is your opinion. Do you think the gentleman actually killed the nun during an epileptic seizure? I have never heard of that happening. Thanks for your great articles. I can not seem to quit reading them!
Take care my friend,
Kathleen
It's all very tragic for all involved.
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