Man sentenced to life in prison for murder of Montreal singer Romane Bonnier

François Pelletier, the 39-year-old Montreal man found guilty of first-degree murder for killing 24-year-old Romane Bonnier, was sentenced Monday in a Montreal courtroom to life in prison without eligibility for parole for 25 years.

“It’s now finished and the justice is right, but I lost my friend and a sister for me,” said Marikim Allard, a friend of Bonnier. “The verdict has been given, but it will never bring her back.”

Marianna Ferraro, the prosecutor in the trial, added, “The sentence itself was expected, but we were very satisfied with also the comments, the reasons for sentence that were given in spite of the fact that it was a mandatory sentence, denouncing the character of Mr. Pelletier the way he conducted himself during the trial.”

On Oct. 19, 2021, Pelletier stabbed Bonnier more than 25 times in front of horrified witnesses not far from McGill University. Bonnier was a singer and actor.

More than three years later, following over a month of trial proceedings and three full days of jury deliberation, Pelletier was found guilty last month after representing himself in court and attempting to plead not criminally responsible due to a mental disorder.

However, that defence was dismantled when the Crown called a psychiatrist as an expert witness.

He also testified in June saying, “I killed Romane, I stabbed her 26 times. Operation Wrath of Heaven was a planned assassination. But there are facts in life that need to be put in a proper context.”

The Crown argued that Pelletier killed Bonnier after they had a short romantic relationship and he struggled to accept their breakup.

“In the end, Mr. Pelletier did have the benefit of a fair trial and all of his charter rights were respected and protected,” said Ferraro.

Prior to sentencing, a letter from Bonnier’s twin sister, Marilou, was presented in court to express her loss. One of Bonnier’s friends, as well as her brother and mother, also spoke, expressing who Romane was as a person and the impact of her death.

“We had a 22-year friendship, then unfortunately, it ended too soon,” said Allard. “She was someone who sang, who danced, and who had her whole life ahead of her, then unfortunately, she was taken away.”

Pierre Allard, Marikim’s father, added, “She was an experienced young woman, an undeniable talent. She was taken away from us.”

Pelletier also addressed the court, but did not express much remorse for Bonnier’s death. Instead, he spoke at length about a book he wrote that the judge determined had no relevance and refused to admit it as an official document.

“Never have there been apologies or remorse being expressed and it was more of the same here today,” said Ferraro.

On top of the life sentence, Pelletier will also have to submit a DNA sample and will not be able to possess certain weapons, firearms, and ammunition for at least 10 years after his release.

At the conclusion of the sentencing, the Crown indicated that Pelletier is expected to appeal the verdict in this case. 

“Mr. Pelletier has filed a notice of appeal, so we will be at the Court of Appeal on the verdict and that will be not any time soon,” said Ferraro.