18 months in jail for Hakim

Edward Hakim’s lawyer said his client was “scared and disappointed” when sentenced Wednesday to 18 months in provincial prison in a dangerous driving case that left a St. Lazare woman with massive brain damage.

Patricia Jolicoeur turned 29 this month in the long-term care facility where she now lives.

Defence lawyer Martin Pilotte met briefly with Hakim in a holding room while the 21 year-old former St. Lazare resident waited to be transported to prison.

Moments earlier Hakim had stood before Judge Michel Mercier of Quebec Court. While the judge noted that Hakim is a good man from a stable family, he nevertheless handed down a prison term many consider tough for dangerous driving.

Hakim struck Jolicoeur on November 29, 2006, near her St. Lazare home while she was walking her dog.

Almost immediately after the sentence was read the visibly shaken young man removed his silver necklace before a bailiff snapped handcuffs around his wrists.

Hakim still stood before the court in his dark blue suit, in front of spectators including many from Jolicoeur’s family.

He looked at his parents, seated a few feet away, only briefly with what appeared to be tears in his eyes before being led away.

While happy that Hakim will spend time in jail, the length of the sentence was not harsh enough, said Patricia’s father, Claude Jolicoeur. “For me it’s not enough,” he said. “I don’t know how long he’ll be in jail…He still has his health and Patricia is screwed up. I will never see grandchildren with her. All our dreams with her were shattered,” he told reporters.

Jolicoeur added, however, that he feels closure.

When asked if he will appeal, Pilotte said a decision will be made very shortly.

Many who came to support the Jolicoeur’s were satisfied with the ruling.

Gilles Boudreau, a founding member of the St. Lazare Citizens Action Committee on Public Security said he’s “honestly happy for the Jolicoeur family.”

The citizen committee – now led by Claude Jolicoeur - has worked with Sûreté du Québec officers to educate drivers about speeding and safety issues.

SQ officer Daniel Thibaudeau, who attended court on his own time, said, “It’s a combination of punitive and education that will change the culture of driving.”

Patricia’s aunt, Ingrid Ducharm, came from Gatineau for the court process.

The family planned to go see Patricia immediately after “to tell her about the decision.”

Another family member, Patricia’s cousin 18 year-old Emily Paine, said the accident had forever changed the way she views driving. “This shows me what can happen,” she said.

Ducharm summed up the day however when noting: “Whatever the sentence in the end, it doesn’t change anything for Patricia,” she said. “She is where she is. It’s just a very sad story with no happy ending for anyone.”