The Montreal North man accused of killing his wife who was in the late stages of Alzheimer's was in such a state of despair and depression that he was pushed to his limits when he suffocated her with a pillow in 2017, said the defence at the second degree murder trial of Michel Cadotte.
Cadotte, 57, is accused of killing his wife Jocelyne Lizotte, 60, on February 20, 2017, a year after his request for medically assisted dying for his spouse was refused.
Cadotte's lawyer said witnesses including Cadotte himself will testify about the accused's state of mind and what influenced him at the time.
Defence began its case today in 2nd degree murder trial of Michel Cadotte,accused of killing wife Jocelyne Lizotte who was in late stages of Alzheimer’s in 2017. Defence said they’ll show Cadotte was in a state of despair & depression & pushed to his limits at the time. #CJAD800 pic.twitter.com/BooykxTpbo
— Shuyee Lee (@sleeCJAD) January 31, 2019
In his opening statement to the jury of eight men and four women, defence lawyer Nicholas Welt said Cadotte had a loving relationship with his wife and that he was a caregiver who was always at her side.
Welt said it was the rapid deterioration of his wife's condition and caring for her during this time that caused an "immense fatigue, weakening, sadness and depression."
Welt said on February 20, 2017, Cadotte was "pushed to the end of his limits" and "so troubled that he didn't have the freedom to choose his actions."
Defence for Michel Cadotte presenting its case at 2nd degree murder trial. Cadotte accused of killing wife Jocelyne Lizotte who was suffering from Alzheimer’s. She’s shown in these pix with sis who testified about rapid deterioration of her condition from 2013 to 2017. #CJAD800 pic.twitter.com/W4q5qhjGc8
— Shuyee Lee (@sleeCJAD) January 31, 2019
Cadotte's sister testified that the more advanced Lizotte's conditions, the more depressed her brother got.
One of Lizotte's sisters testified that she was surprised when Cadotte told her about making a request for medically-assisted dying for his wife but that she understood the situation.
Lizotte's sister said when their mother — who died in 2005 — was suffering from Alzheimer's, Lizotte told her many times she didn't want to lose her dignity like that and preferred to die.
The defence said a psychiatrist and a psychologist will also testify.