The man charged with assaulting Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard last year during a vigil commemorating the victims of a mass shooting in the United States will be tried in October.
Esteban Torres Wicttorff, 21, made a brief appearance before Quebec Court Judge Sylvie Kovacevich at the Montreal courthouse Thursday afternoon. His lawyer, Arij Riahi, told Kovacevich that the trial could be held in one day, on Oct. 6.
On June 16, 2016, Couillard had to be rushed from a stage during a Montreal vigil held to commemorate the victims of a mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub, a gay club in Orlando, on June 12. Forty-nine people were killed in the shooting and another 53 were injured.
Someone in attendance at the Montreal vigil at Parc de l’espoir on Ste-Catherine St. E. at Panet St., accosted Couillard while shouting “Revolution!” The person also reportedly said “We will take back the street” before tossing an object at Couillard.
Torres, a well-known activist within Montreal’s trans community, had spoken earlier at the vigil that was organized by Montreal Pride and the Pink Square Collective. He was apprehended by Montreal police and Sûreté du Québec bodyguards and taken away from the event. He was charged with assault and causing a disturbance and was released the following day after agreeing to follow a series of conditions including that he keep a certain distance from Couillard.
Related
