A Montreal man involved in a murder in the middle of a street in Little Italy has received nine years in prison, even though he was not the shooter, as a court ruled he must pay for his bad choices.
“The crime took place on a busy street, putting passers-by in real danger. Carrying and using a loaded weapon does not resolve any conflict, on the contrary,” Judge Anne-Marie Manukian said this Thursday at the Montreal courthouse.
In the dock, Marcus Barthelus remained impassive as a magistrate sentenced him to manslaughter after what he called a “ridiculous drug bust” in April 2022 that cost him his freedom.
Corner of Jean-Talon and Saint Laurent.
On that day, the 44-year-old defendant wanted to go to a party to use drugs. People then tried to dissuade him, given that there was a person nearby with whom he was in conflict.
“He did show up with a friend who was armed,” the judge explained, adding that there was a confrontation.
The argument then moved to the middle of the intersection of Boulevard Saint-Laurent and Rue Jean-Talon. Batelus' friend then grabbed a firearm and shot one of those present, Steven Marquez, fatally wounding him in the chest.
Barthelus quickly escaped, but was cornered by double agents, to whom he confessed that he loved violence and money.
“He proudly admits that he put a hole in someone,” the judge recalled.
Message to criminals
Thus, even if he was not the shooter, his participation in this drama earned him a manslaughter charge. Shy in front of the judge, he then vowed that he was going to return to the straight path.
“He has apologized, he recognizes that guns are a scourge, he regrets his actions… this is the first step,” agreed the judge, who, however, was not impressed by these fine words.
Because this crime “eloquently illustrates” the scourge of firearms, she recalled, emphasizing that in this case the girl lost her father.
“Steven Marquez brought happiness to those around him, he was always there for his daughter, who is haunted by the image of her dying father, and she cannot see him,” the judge said.
Faced with this, the magistrate rejected the defense's offer of six and a half years' imprisonment. Instead, the judge chose a nine-year prison sentence, barely less than what the Crown had sought.
“The choices and actions of Marcus Barthelus led directly to fatal consequences, the court must send a clear message,” she concluded.
