Jade Coderre

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

An alleged stalker and killer of 28-year old Gisele Itale Betondi of Lasalle is facing a lengthy trial that opened last Thursday and is expected to last weeks. Crown Procecutor Jade Coderre has begun presenting evidence that 51-year old Hosea Amorus Puhya planned the alleged murder after he lost the custody of the ex-couple’s three children in their separation.

Puhya, who is defended by Antonio Cabra and Vanessa Sadler, has pleaded not guilty to first degree murder. The Crown is seeking to prove that Puhya believed that his partner cheated on him and threatened to kill her beginning several months before her death.

The victim was killed in the parking lot of her home on Oblats Street in LaSalle in September 2022. She had relocated with her three children after she was allegedly threatened by the accused on multiple occasions.

A recorded conversation in which the accused allegedly threatened to kill the murder victim took place just days before her death. Shortly before the recorded conversation, Puhya had been released from custody, then breached probationary conditions.

The victim was transported to the hospital following the alleged stabbing and was pronounced dead a few hours later. She managed to get up and run following the armed assault, but did not survive the attack.

The Crown’s evidence also includes proof that the accused used GPS tracking applications in order to locate the victim. The events surrounding Betondi’s death were captured on camera and a woman present at the scene reported the crime to authorities. Puhya was located by police near the scene of the crime shortly after the alleged murder took place. A total of 12 Crown witnesses are expected to give testimony. n