LAVAL - Laval police have arrested Eric Daudelin, 37, on charges of kidnapping and killing a nine-year old girl Joleil Campeau, whose body was found in a swamp 16 years ago.
Campeau had been walking home alone through a wooded, swampy area in the Auteuil district of Laval on June 16, 1995. She had been missing for several days at the time that her body was found.
Police compared semen with the DNA of known sex offenders, including Daudelin, then 21, who had just been released from prison on charges of sexual assault.
But their evidence was not considered strong enough to lay charges. That changed when improved technology made what they believe to be an irrefutable match that will stand up in court.
So on Wednesday night police arrested Daudelin and he appeared in a Laval court on Thursday morning, where he was charged with first-degree murder, sexual assault and forcible confinement.
Several in the courthouse hurled insults at Daudelin who appeared indifferent to the proceedings.
"I'd like to have 10 minutes alone with him," said the father of the victim.
Daudelin has served time for sexual assault and was investigated in connection with Campeau's death back in 1995.
Laval police Const. Franco Di Genova told CTV Montreal that it is possible investigators could lay further charges against Daudelin beyond the three initial criminal counts.
"That's what was given for now," Di Genova said in a brief telephone interview on Thursday afternoon.
While police were not previously able to link Daudelin to the crime, they have made use of new technology to build their current case.
"Back then the technology wasn't what it is now," Laval police spokesperson Nathalie Lorrain told reporters Thursday.
A member of the Campeau family told CTV that the slain girl's mother says it is "a gift" to see an arrest in the case.
