Montreal man accused in death of wife with Alzheimer's disease granted bail

Michel Cadotte, 56, who wasaccused ofsecond-degree murder in the death of his wife this winter,has been granted bail.

Cadotte was charged in February, shortly after his wife, 60-year-old Jocelyne Lizotte,was found dead in the long-term care institution in which she was livingin downtown Montreal.

He appeared in court Friday morningand has been released into his sister's custody pending his trial. Wearing a black suit and tie, Cadottelooked tired but relieved.

Outside the courthouse, he told reporters how tired he was and thanked his family, lawyers and the public for their support.

Cadotte'slawyer,ElfriedeDuclervil, spoke for him through a prepared statement.

"Public opinion helped his case and greatly contributed to his freedom,"Duclervil said.

• Montreal man charged with 2nd-degree murder in disabled wife's death

The dates of Lizotte'sbirth and death were posted to Cadotte'sFacebook page in February,followed by a post saying he "cracked" and "gave in to her demand for help dying."

"I'm waiting for police," the post concluded.

Montreal police said no obvious signs of violence were found onLizotte'sbody.

Duclervilrepeated in courtthis morningthat her clienthad"cracked" from the stress of caring for Lizotte.

"[The case of] our client is an occasion to debate something that is extremely difficult for society right now,"Duclervilsaid. "His situation is personal: he is someone who was physically, emotionally at the breaking point."

"Unfortunately, MichelCadottewas the only one, almost the only one, being there for [his wife]day in andday out," she said.

Not an act of protest, judge concludes

Quebec Superior Court Justice Michel Pennou said the court did not condoneLizotte's killing.

Had Cadotte's act appeared to be an act of protest to try and change the country's medically assisted dying laws, Pennou said hewould have revoked bail.

But he concludedCadotte's actions appeared to be an expression of exhaustion and frustration and that he doesn't believe the accused man poses a risk to public safety.

Cadotte's nephew, Franois Cadotte, told CBC at the time of Lizotte's death that she had beenliving with Alzheimer's disease and that the family had sought a doctor-assisted death for her but was refused.

Cadotte'sfamily members who were in court Friday breathed sighs of relief at Pennou'sdecision to grant him bail and exchanged hugs with his sister, France Cadotte.