The mother of young Alexandre Livernoch, who rocked Quebec in August 2000, is fuming at the prospect of her son Mario Bastian’s killer being freed from prison after two decades.
“He should be in, opposes Sylvie Girard. My life is broken. For me it’s like it happened today. »
Archive photo
During the trial, all eyes were on Alexandre Livernoch’s mother, Sylvie Girard.
Joined by NewspaperTrifluvien, 61, was outraged to learn that her son’s killer, Mario Bastian, could apply for a semi-conditional release from August 9.
Although the killer was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years, the day parole was intended to prepare him for eventual full parole.
This will allow him to participate in social activities while in prison or in community facilities.
On August 4, 2000, 13-year-old Alexandre Livernoch met Bastian while picking cucumbers on a farm one day.
After abducting the boy, Bastian sexually assaulted him and inflicted multiple injuries, including multiple stab wounds, before burying his body in a sand pit in Sorrel-Tracy.
Alexander’s body was found five days later.
In mid-August, when Bastian was arrested and put behind bars, he joined Newspaper Confess and elaborate on his guilt.
Archive photo
The front page of the Journal de Montreal of August 16, 2000, after the killer confessed to his murder to a journalist.
“monster”
The newspaper headlined it on its front page (See photo) A chilling quote from the killer: “I’m a monster”.
A series of revelations shocked Quebec.
Archive photo
The case shocked the entire population of Quebec. The public went to the sand pit where the body of the deceased was found.
A few months before doing the irreparable, Mario Bastian was behind bars for various crimes, including fraud, but he was released from prison due to prison overcrowding.
However, a 1997 report by the Canadian National Liberation Commission deemed Bastian a dangerous pedophile.
However, La Presse reported in 2004 that the document had not been sent to the Quebec Commission on Conditional Liberation.
This information forced the National Assembly to investigate the functioning of the prison system.
Sharp pain
“I don’t know who released him,” said Blake Sylvie Girard, who ruled that the government should still look into the flaws in the file.
Through these roller coasters, the mother of three, who had no faith in Bastian’s possible recovery, describes living through dark times after her son’s death.
“I don’t anymore, I don’t go out anymore, I don’t eat anymore.”
Battered daily by memories of Alexandre, she can never fully grieve.
“If you know how much I miss him, she wakes up. This shock is lifelong. »
Arlene Gautrault, president of the Association Québécois Plaitoire-Victims, agrees that the prospect of a criminal being released from prison can trigger strong emotions among the victim’s relatives.
“It brings them back to something very painful,” he says. There is no need to trust the decisions they are about to make [par les autorités]. »
♦ The Parole Board of Canada says no review is currently planned to assess the release of 51-year-old Mario Bastian, who is jailed for premeditated murder. He will be eligible for full parole in 2025.
The Mario Bastian affair on four main points
Confessions
Mario Bastian took the time to call a journalist Register From his room to describe the grim circumstances of the murder of young Alexandre Livernoch. But after hours of police questioning, he confessed.
“It took a long time to tell me about his crime from start to finish. Then when he tells you what he was able to do, your heart skips a beat. But you have to be assertive, ask questions,” he said in 2017 Register Former investigator Roberto Bergeron spent a total of 20 hours with the accused.
Video interrogation of an accused is a recent practice, so the public doesn’t know much. Some people who saw the video at the time say it still resonates with them today.
The past is disturbing
Mario Bastian’s disturbing story was revealed during his trial. He was born into an abusive relationship between his mother and father.
It was also revealed that she was sexually assaulted in her youth.
Legal battle
The legal battle between the Livernoches and the Quebec government was marked by lengthy negotiations.
In 2006, the family received an out-of-court settlement of $90,000 beyond the $850,000 sought in court.
Descent into Hell
The murder of young Alexander greatly affected those close to him.
In 2010, Newspaper The father, André Livernoch, now dead, lived in a truck and had to beg a friend for water and electricity.
Then he was financially ruined and had major health problems, we wrote.
