A relative of Gisèle Itale Betondi, the woman who was killed in front of two of her young children in LaSalle two years ago, was unable to contain herself as the victim’s estranged husband was given a last chance to make a statement before he was sentenced Wednesday for first-degree murder . Hosea Amorus Puhya, 51, was found guilty last week in the trial at the Montreal courthouse. Superior Court Justice Catherine Perreault used Wednesday as an opportunity to let Betondi’s relatives share their feelings about the tragic loss.
After their victim-impact statements were read, Perreault asked Puhya if he had anything to say before she made the life sentence official. This is normally a chance for the person convicted of a violent crime to express remorse. Puhya thanked the judge before launching into a confusing statement during which he made many references to God, speaking in English with a heavy accent.
Both he and Bentondi came to Canada from Cameroon. “I want to assure you that the God that you call God will reveal who killed Gisèle,” Puhya said, referring to Betondi as “an icon.” He made apparent references to the Bible.
“This same God is about to redeem himself to this family.” Perreault interrupted Puhya and said the opportunity she gave him was “not the time to make a speech.” As he was about to resume speaking, one of Betondi’s relatives got up from her seat and cut him short.
“Shut up and sit your ass down! Bulls–t! I’m not going to list.
