The ex-boyfriend of a slain 21-year-old woman entered a not guilty plea in a Valleyfield courtroom when charged Thursday morning with first-degree murder.
Marc-Olivier Perras, 21, is accused of shooting Karine Faubert and dumping her body on a walking/ATV trail in Godmanchester, about 30 kilometres form her home in the small community of St-Louis-de-Gonzague, west of Montreal.
"I've seen enough evidence for me to press charges of first degree murder," said Crown prosecutor Helene Langis.
Faubert's family was in court for the hearing, but according to his lawyer, Perras was there alone.
Faubert's body was discovered on Friday Aug. 12, 2011, on the trail, and her car was found two days later in the parking lot of the church in her hometown.
On Wednesday Surete du Quebec officers arrested Perras, a native of Saint-Stanislaus-de-Kostka, in downtown Montreal.
He spent the night in a holding cell before being transferred to Valleyfield for the Thursday morning arraignment.
Perras, handcuffed, was escorted by two SQ officers from a squad car into the courthouse, and kept his eyes down and refused to say a word to reporters asking questions.
In court Perras said he was not guilty of the first-degree murder of Faubert, and was ordered not to communicate with any of his family or friends while in custody.
He was not granted bail due to the serious nature of the charges against him.
Perras's next court appearance is scheduled for September 5, 2011.
Stunned by charges
Friends of Faubert and Perras, already shocked by her murder, are stunned by the arrest and arraignment of her ex-boyfriend.
"I was pretty shocked because I know him a little bit and he looked like a nice guy and a normal guy like everyone here," said Cynthia Lemieux.
The pair were a couple for most of their adolescence. They started dating age 15 and broke up one year ago.
She was studying communications at UQAM and also worked at the restaurant in the Plaza Hotel in Valleyfield, where she was described by co-workers as a good, reliable employee.
Funeral services for Faubert will take place Saturday August 27 at the church in her hometown of Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague.
