Chris Gobin, 19, pleads guilty to 2nd-degree murder of his mother
A 19-year-old man pleaded guilty Thursday to the second-degree murder of his mother in 2014 and has received a life sentence with no eligibility of parole for 12 years.
Chris Gobin was 18 years old on April 22, 2014, when he stabbed his mother — 49-year-old Luce Lavertu — in their Orleans home on St. Bruno Street.
She was found in the home by her husband and Chris Gobin's father, Jacques Gobin, with her throat slashed. She was later pronounced dead.
Chris Gobin was arrested by police a short time after the incident in the neighbourhood and was charged with first-degree murder.
He made an emotional guilty plea Thursday to the lesser charge of second-degree murder, according to his defence lawyer, Samir Adam.
"I don't think it's something that can be put into words. He displayed some gut-wrenching emotion in court, bordering on anguish. He couldn't even speak on his own behalf, that's how emotional it was," Adam said.
"Obviously it's a very traumatic set of facts and experience to go through, and he's obviously accepted responsibility for his actions as a young man. And he's going to have to live with that."
Jacques Gobin told CBC News his son had been struggling mentally before the incident and that the family had sought help from the health care system for Chris Gobin in 2013.
Adam said a report filed Thursday in court showed that Chris Gobin suffered from "extreme depression and other difficulties."
Adam said he asked the judge to request that Chris Gobin be sent to a penitentiary with facilities "more attuned to rehabilitation and treatment" for his mental health issues.
