Alain Bellefeuille has been found guilty of First-Degree Murder and sentenced to life in prison in the 2023 death of Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Sergeant Eric Mueller during an intervention in Bourget.
Bellefeuille was also found guilty of the attempted murder of OPP Constables Marc Lauzon and Francois Gamache-Asselin in the same intervention. For each of those charges, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison, to be served concurrently with the murder sentence. Bellefeuille is not eligible for parole for 25 years.
According to CTV, the verdict was announced by Superior Court Justice Robert Pelletier just after 10 am on Saturday, May 24, at the courthouse in L’Orignal following a trial that had lasted several weeks. The jury had been in deliberations since Thursday, May 22.
On Thursday, May 11, 2023, the Russell County OPP officers were called to a disturbance at a property on Laval Street/County Road 2 at the eastern edge of Bourget. A citizen heard a gunshot and notified police. Mueller, 42, later died in hospital. One of the other officers was also shot and wounded.
During the trial, the Crown argued the police officers had been ambushed by Bellefeuille.
OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique and Ontario Provincial Police Association (OPPA) President John Cerasuolo issued a joint statement on Saturday, May 24, in response to the verdict.
“For nearly nine weeks, the emotional testimonies and public release of body worn camera footage have significantly intensified the emotional impact we have all felt since that heartbreaking day in 2023. It has been especially difficult for Sergeant Eric Mueller’s family, our two wounded officers, our OPP members and their loved ones. Sergeant Mueller was a dedicated officer who served the people of Ontario for 21 years. His legacy and the impact he had on his community continues on,” read the statement.
Carrique and Cerasuolo’s reaction to the verdict was positive.
“Today’s verdict reinforces our focus on what Sergeant Mueller stood for – an unwavering commitment to the community and to the safety and protection of others. It also acknowledges the life-changing impact felt by Provincial Constables Marc Lauzon and François Gamache-Asselin, who exhibited the highest standard of bravery in the face of life-threatening and life-altering danger.”
