"Provocation defense" at Longueuil court

Posted By: Claude Beaulieu · 2/15/2013 2:05:00 PM

Closing arguments have been heard at the second-degree murder trial of Ellen Dennett. Her case centers on the defence of "sudden provocation".

Dennett left her daughter behind in California when she thought she had found love in Quebec with a man she'd met on-line. But the man had lied: about his life and about love.

Curiously, Dennett then moved in with the man's disabled mother, Kathleen Livingstone of Brossard, to work as her caretaker. But within weeks, Dennett killed the older woman. She later claimed that she was provoked by the victim's constant needling of her for abandoning her daughter and falling for her son.

The victim's friend, Sam Gaskell, is outraged by Dennett's defence of "sudden provocation".

Dennett wants her second-degree murder charge reduced to "manslaughter". The judge will rule March 15.

 

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  1. Bill Stevenson posted on 02/15/2013 04:15 PM
    The 78 year old, disabled, defenceless victim in this horrendous crime was my aunt. It was my intention to be at the trial but due to the very short notice given for the trial dates I was unable to travel.. From England to Montreal...... Hopefully to see justice for my aunt..... I have to start by saying how disgusted I am at the Quebec legal system... Both in the Police .."investigation' and the prosecution....... It is absolutely preposterous that this woman..Ellen Dennett.... Could even consider that the charge against her should be that of manslaughter...... The events most definitely warranted a charge of FIRST DEGREE MURDER.... She murdered my aunt... She made several conscious decisions that in NO WAY..could one decree provocation and nil malice aforethought..... She Did not just kill her upon being provoked!!!!!! The full circumstances do not appear to have been put before the court...the bigger picture would show there is no defence of ."provocation".... It is simply cold blooded murder... And the most appropriate sentence would be that of a death penalty....... I still have a little faith in your system... And feel sure that the Judge will return the appropriate conviction...and sentence her accordingly.......
  2. annette rose posted on 02/15/2013 05:44 PM
    Manslaughter??? you got to be kidding?? Kathleen Livingstone was my aunt.. my mums sister! unfortunatly i live in scotland and could not afford to be there in canada for the trial.. so..curiously? this woman moves in with my aunt, and within weeks slaughters her..not once, but again and again!! she said she was (picking on her?) my god..what ever happened to walking away or just packing the job in?? but no! she pushed her down the stairs...stabbed her, knife broke..so she went back up stairs and got another knife?? then repeatedly stabbed her again!!!!!! THEN..slept there that night, knowing what she had done, and, stole her credit cards and booked herself into a hotel!!!!! still holding on to the the knife that killed my aunt!!!!! MANSLAUGHTER?? my aunt was a defenseless disabled 78 yr old woman in a wheelchair!!!!!! dear god..if there is any justice out there, it should be the death sentence!!!!!!!!
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