A Montreal judge stunned the courtroom Tuesday by dismissing all charges against Laurent Desjardins in the high-profile murder case of insurance executive Marc Bélanger. The ruling represents a dramatic collapse of what prosecutors had described as an “airtight case” just six months ago.
I spent the morning reviewing the 78-page dismissal, which cited “profound and irreparable breaches of Charter rights” by investigators who pursued Desjardins, the former vice president at Assurance Nationale, following Bélanger’s shooting death in an underground parking garage in April 2022.
“The evidence collection process was fundamentally compromised,” wrote Justice Claudine Paquet in her scathing assessment. “When police deliberately circumvent warrant requirements and manipulate witness testimony, the integrity of our justice system demands consequences.”
The dismissal hinged on explosive revelations that investigators had illegally accessed Desjardins’ cell phone location data through what the court called a “parallel construction” – obtaining information without proper authorization, then creating alternate justifications after the fact.
Defense attorney Emmanuelle Tremblay told me outside the courthouse that the prosecution’s case had “crumbled under the weight of its own misconduct.” She described how digital forensics expert Claude Morneau had identified crucial timestamps proving police testimony about evidence discovery couldn’t match their documented timeline.
“They claimed to find the murder weapon after following legitimate investigative leads,” Tremblay explained, “but digital records prove they already knew where to look because of the unauthorized cell tracking.”
The Quebec Ministry of Justice declined specific comment on potential disciplinary action against the investigators involved, offering only a brief statement acknowledging the ruling. “We respect the court’s decision and will review the judgment thoroughly,” said spokesperson Marie-Claude Gagnon.
For the victim’s family, the dismissal represents a devastating setback. Bélanger’s daughter, Camille, expressed outrage while leaving the courthouse. “The system has failed my father,” she said. “Someone executed him over business dealings, and now they walk free because of technicalities.”
The case had initially captured public attention due to allegations that Bélanger’s murder stemmed from his discovery of a multimillion-dollar premium skimming operation at Assurance Nationale. According to court documents I obtained through access to information requests, investigators believed Desjardins orchestrated the killing after Bélanger threatened to expose the scheme.
Pierre Langevin, a corporate governance expert at Université de Montréal who has followed the case closely, told me the dismissal raises troubling questions about high-stakes investigations. “When police feel pressure to solve prominent cases quickly, corners get cut,” Langevin said. “But this ruling sends a clear message about constitutional boundaries.”
The investigation initially appeared solid. Surveillance footage showed a figure matching Desjardins’ build entering the garage minutes before the shooting. Forensic analysis found gunshot residue on clothing recovered from his home. Witness testimony placed his vehicle near the scene.
However, Justice Paquet determined that the search warrant for Desjardins’ residence contained “material misrepresentations” and omitted contradictory evidence. Most damaging was the revelation that investigators had used Desjardins’ cell phone location data without judicial authorization, then constructed an alternative narrative about how they identified him as a suspect.
The Innocence Project of Canada’s Vanessa Dionne, who observed the proceedings, noted that the case illustrates systemic problems. “When police believe someone is guilty, they sometimes work backward from that conclusion,” Dionne explained. “This case demonstrates why procedural safeguards exist in the first place.”
Crown prosecutor Jean-Philippe Rousseau appeared visibly frustrated after the ruling but indicated the prosecution would not appeal. “We respect the court’s decision while maintaining our belief in the defendant’s involvement,” Rousseau stated.
For Desjardins, who maintained his innocence throughout the 18-month legal battle, the dismissal ends a personal nightmare but leaves professional uncertainty. His legal team indicated he would be pursuing wrongful prosecution claims.
The investigation into Bélanger’s murder technically remains open, but sources within the Montreal police department told me the likelihood of new charges is remote given the contaminated evidence and the passage of time.
“This isn’t just about one case,” defense attorney Tremblay emphasized. “This ruling reinforces that constitutional protections aren’t obstacles to justice – they define justice itself.”
As I left the courthouse, I noticed both families – victim and accused – departing separately in silence, each seemingly carrying the weight of a system that, regardless of one’s perspective, had failed to deliver resolution.
