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Ouimet told friend that 'rape' attempt provoked killing

By: Ian Hitchen

Monday, Apr. 30, 2012 at 3:47 PM | Comments: 3

TIM SMITH / BRANDON SUN Enlarge Image

Friends and family members of Duane Lacquette embrace outside the Brandon courthouse on Monday morning after Shilo based soldier Jason John Ouimet pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the 2010 homicide of Lacquette.

A CFB Shilo soldier has pleaded guilty to manslaughter for killing a man he claimed was trying to "rape" him.

Enlarge Image

Duane Lacquette was found dead in the basement of his home in 2010. (FILE PHOTO)

Jason John Ouimet entered his plea during a brief appearance in Brandon Court of Queen's Bench on Monday morning in answer to the killing of Duane Lacquette.

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- Ouimet admits to 2010 killing of Lacquette

The plea is based on a joint recommendation reached by Crown attorney Jim Ross and Ouimet's lawyers, Roberta Campbell and Sarah Innes.

It takes into account Ouimet's explanation about what happened, as he reportedly described it to a friend shortly after the killing.

"The Crown accepted a plea to manslaughter based on provocation," Ross said following court yesterday. "Mr. Ouimet's account is entirely consistent with all of the evidence in the case."

Lacquette, 21, was found dead in the basement of his home on the 3600-block of Centennial Boulevard on Jan. 16, 2010.

Ouimet, a solider posted at CFB Shilo, was arrested on Feb. 4, 2010 and initially charged with second-degree murder.

With no previous criminal record, he was released on bail five days later and the 30-year-old has continued to live and work at CFB Shilo.

He was originally scheduled to begin his jury trial on Monday when he pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and guilty to manslaughter instead.

Justice John Menzies has set sentencing for June 7 and Ouimet remains out on bail as he awaits that date.

About a dozen of Lacquette's family and friends, including his mother and father, had sat quietly in the courtroom as Ouimet confirmed his plea.

No facts were read in court and lawyers didn't reveal the sentence they will seek.

However, during a preliminary hearing in April 2011, friends testified that Lacquette was gay.

Ouimet had been among a number of people who had been at Lacquette's home following a night out at the bar.

Ouimet's friend and fellow soldier also testified that, shortly following the killing, Ouimet had told him what happened.

Ouimet reportedly claimed that he had fallen asleep and awoke to find Lacquette trying to "rape" him, then choked Lacquette during an ensuing fight and fled after he realized Lacquette was dead.

The soldier said Ouimet told him that he didn't mean to kill Lacquette and had acted instinctively in self defence.

However, that account hasn't been tested at trial. It remains to be seen how much of it defence lawyers will rely on during sentencing.

» For the full story, including previously unreleased details of the case, see tomorrow's Brandon Sun

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Posted by:Berry

May 5, 2012 at 3:30 PM

Replying to mediumterk......lets rephrase this accusation of rape! I've seen the picture of both people in the paper and compared the sizes of each of them and I wonder how can this be self defence when the paper reads " Champion boxer " victim " Supervisor of a restaurant" out going kind friendly guy just out to have fun with friends..and you say you've been a victim of this matter of assault but there 2 different scenarios and you say don't judge this matter then why are you trying to judge what went on that evening when nobody knows but the victim and the accused...and the victim is not here to defend himself of the accusation!! He could've just left and not fall asleep at a strangers house if he didn't know him or trust him to begin with why did he bother to stay?! Yes you overcome with panic but anybody in their right mind would not go to the extreme and take an innocent life!!

Posted by:mediumterk

May 2, 2012 at 9:02 AM

this just shows what a double standard we have - if this had been a woman who killed someone who was trying to rape her, it would be called self defence and considered justifyable. Rape is Rape, whether you are male or female! Men should be able to defend themselves just as we ladies can! How can you say he could have "handled easily" this event without seriously harming his rapist? Have you ever been attacked? Have you ever been in such fear and panic that the flight or fight instinct kicked in? when that happens, rational thought is rarely present; you are overcome with panic. Don't judge another person in this situation until you know all the facts, or have been there yourself! I am a victim of assault and I know what it's like - I'd rather die than be raped and I fought for my life. Why can't he?

Posted by:Solidus

April 30, 2012 at 11:37 PM

Let me see:
- Arrested on 2nd degree murder,
- Released on bail 5 days later,
- Convicted of manslaughter for a situation he could have handled EASILY without seriously harming his "rapist"...

Justice...CANADIAN style.

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