Entire family in disbelief

That was this week’s decision at the Laval courthouse, as the accused was to appear before the judge three weeks after the death of his sweetheart.

Verdict: The prosecution recommended the judge free Paul Polydore Banza Tshiany under certain conditions, not leaving the province of Quebec, reporting once a week to the Montreal police, residing at his usual address and not moving, not entering into contact with the victim’s family, and appearing in court on October 27 for the continuation of the proceedings. The release of the Montrealer was granted for the sum of $2,000.

The disbelief was quite palpable among the victim’s family, some of them incapable of uttering a word.

“Where is the justice? In what sort of country do we live? The criminals profit from an extremely permissive system that encourages crime,” said Jacques Alerte, the victim’s cousin, after the appearance of Banza Tshiany, who was held since the death of Vayola Brutus.

“I must then understand that Vayola for $2,000 and three weeks in prison,” said Karmelle André, a cousin. “If the trial was held in the United States, I am sure he would be kept in detention.”

“The most frustrating (thing) is that we have gone through interminable proceedings since Vayola’s death, never knowing what really happened,” said Kate Line, another cousin. “We are not giving up hope, but we are beginning to think that we are victims of injustice.”

The brother of Vayola Brutus affirmed that the release of Banza Tshiany adds to his confusion, but that he has no other choice than to trust the judicial system.

“The investigation continues, other elements are to come, but for the moment we cannot object to the release,” said Jonathon Meunier, crown prosecutor, after the departure of Banza Tshiany. “All of the steps in the autopsy are not yet completed. We will be receiving toxicology reports over the next few weeks, but for now we have nothing on which to base further accusations.”

Meunier also added that no other suspect has been identified in this affair. It was on last August 5 that the father of the victim found the inert body of his daughter in her bed at the family residence on Florence Street in Vimont. The following day the Laval police arrested the boyfriend of Vayola Brutus. According to relatives of the victim, she was preparing to leave him. To this day, only charges of indecency towards a cadaver have been laid against the accused.