killing

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

Stenley Guercin was just 18 years old when he was killed at a 2021 Christmas party at a home in TMR. Two men, Léonardo Joseph and Jonathan Guerly Estimé – both 22 – were convicted in Guercin’s killing.

One of the two, Joseph, was handed a nine-year sentence at the Palais du Justice on Friday.

The two men, who were 20 when they were arrested, were convicted at trial last July. Joseph was found guilty of manslaughter, and Estimé of second-degree murder.

The sentence was handed down by Quebec Superior Court Judge Alexandre Boucher.

The trial heard that several youths were seeking out Guercin, who allegedly owed a gambling debt. There had been words exchanged online on social media. Then, at around 1:40 a.m. on December 24, 2021 the gang had tracked down Guercin at the Christmas party in question. A woman who was at the party on Trenton Avenue and recognized Guercin reached out to the group via text message.

When they got to the party and found Guercin, Joseph and Estimé grabbed him. A scuffle ensued. Estimé drew a gun and shot Guercin twice.

The crown prosecutor had recommended a sentence of 14 years. Joseph’s defense lawyer asked for no more than five. Time served awaiting the results in the case means that Joseph will end up serving five years and seven months.

Joseph’s role in the killing was secondary, the judge ruled, saying “he was not the person who shot the victim.” But he is still criminally responsible as a “co-author.” The judge said that Joseph should have known the danger the victim was facing.

Estimé’s sentencing hearing is coming up in November.

He was already serving time for another crime at the time of the arrest. In April he had been arrested for possession of a loaded weapon. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced, at the time, to 912 days.

Another suspect, Bertina Desire, who was also 20 at the time of the killing, was charged with being an accessory after the fact. She is also scheduled to return to court in November. n