This past week saw the conclusion of an important trial involving a Montreal street gang leader and some of his cronies. The trial was important because the guilty verdict represents the first time that a street gang leader will go to jail convicted of "gangsterism" (i.e, running a criminal organization) as opposed to selling drugs or some lesser offense. My only concern about this verdict is the minimal 10-year sentence. Can he get off on parole in few years? If so, then he should have gotten a much longer sentence.
Montreal street gang leader sentenced to 10 years
February 22, 2007
CBC News
Bernard Mathieu, the leader of a notorious street gang in Montreal's north end, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for gangsterism, conspiracy and drug trafficking in a groundbreaking ruling in Canada.
Mathieu and four other Montreal men sentenced Wednesday were among 15 convicted in January, about four months after proceedings began. The other 10 men were found guilty of charges that were mostly drug-related.
During sentencing arguments this week, police experts testified Mathieu, 35, was an "untouchable" kingpin in the crime underworld, who in the 1990s founded one of the best organized street gang operations ever in Montreal.
Mathieu's gang ruled the surrounding Pelletier Street neighbourhood through fear, intimidating residents while selling crack to high school students in the area, police said.
Gangsterism is defined as working with other people to further the ends of a criminal organization. The case involving Mathieu is believed to be the first ruling in Canada that recognizes a street gang as a criminal organization.
The Crown prosecutor sought a 12- to 15-year sentence but was pleased with Judge Jean-Pierre Bonin's ruling.
"[Mathieu] has been the principal organizer for the Pelletier street gang for about 15-20 years now. So sending him to prison for 10 years is a stiff sentence," said lawyer Jean-Pierre St-Jean.
Mathieu will appeal his sentence, which was called excessive by his lawyers. The 35-year-old denied being a gang leader throughout his trial, but admitted he dealt drugs in Montreal's north end.
The other sentences handed down this week in the street gang mega-trial:
Jean-Robert Pierre-Antoine, six years for gangsterism.
Hansley Joseph, five years and nine months for conspiracy and drug trafficking.
Serge Hadley Mussotte and Jean-Pierre Joseph, four years and six months, and four years and three months, respectively, for conspiracy and drug trafficking.
