MONTREAL – A man charged with beating an elderly nun to death in 2007 was
found not criminally responsible due to mental health problems in a Montreal
court Monday.
Martin Rondeau, 33, was originally charged with second-degree murder in the
beating of 80-year-old Sister Estelle Lauzon.
The decision comes on the heels of various psychological and neurological
evaluations.
These reports show that Rondeau, who also suffers from bipolar disorder, was
suffering a fit of "nocturnal epilepsy" at the time of the murder, and was
therefore not responsible for his actions.
Rondeau, who was staying at the convent where the victim worked, had also
not taken his medication for 10 days prior to the incident, because he was
visiting his family. Normally, someone administers his drugs for him.
Quebec Superior Court Justice Guy Cournoyer will announce Wednesday whether
Rondeau will be released or interned in a psychiatric institute.
At the hearing, Sister Pauline Massicotte, general director of the convent,
said that members of the congregation have forgiven Rondeau "because sister
Estelle would have forgiven him.”
