Review of Quebec judge’s murder conviction reaches next phase

QUEBEC — The only Canadian judge ever convicted of first-degree murder is getting another look at his case.

A spokesman for the Justice Department confirms that Jacques Delisle’s case will be subject to the investigation phase of the Criminal Conviction Review process.

Delisle, who is now 81, was found guilty of first-degree murder in the November 2009 slaying of his wife, Nicole Rainville, in Quebec City.

The investigation phase is triggered when there is “new and significant” information in a case.

Following the probe, a final report will be given to the justice minister, who will decide what the next step will be.

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Delisle did not testify at his trial and last year admitted in a jailhouse interview he’d helped Rainville take her own life by leaving a loaded gun for her to use.

He claimed his family, upon discovering he’d helped Rainville commit suicide, implored him not to testify at the trial.

Delisle said he realized not taking the stand was a mistake.

His push for a new trial was taken up by the Association in Defence of the Wrongly Convicted.

Delisle was convicted on what the group qualified as poor forensic evidence.

Crown forensic experts concluded Rainville was murdered, while defence experts argued she took her own life.

The Canadian Press