Desjardins and other defendants in the trial for the murder of Sal Montagna will now appear in court on April 3 of this year.

Link to French-language article:

http://www.journaldemontreal.com/2013/0 ... e-en-avril

Translation (aided by Google Translate)

Case postponed to April
GUY LATOUR / QMI AGENCY
Posted on: Wednesday, 16 January 2013, 12:36 pm | Updated: Wednesday, 16 January 2013, 12:43 pm

JOLIETTE - The case of Raynald Desjardins and four others accused of the premeditated murder of Salvatore Montagna, in November 2011 in Charlemagne, was postponed once more, this time to April 3.

All defense counsel asked the postponement Wednesday during a brief hearing before Judge Maurice Parent, Joliette courthouse.

One of the suspects in this case, Vittorio Mirarchi, by the voice of his lawyer, has created some surprise, telling the court that he could waive his preliminary hearing at the next hearing. Moreover, Felice Racchaniello [sic: should be Racaniello] is now represented by the Montreal criminal Jeffrey Boro.

Also in this case, the request for disclosure of evidence, which was presented by the defense lawyers last June, has been postponed to April 3 in Superior Court.

Until now, prosecutors accused received 11,000 pages on the affidavit warrants for wiretaps. Only 11 pages were redacted.

"We have not yet finished reading the documents, said Marc Labelle, lawyer Raynald Desjardins, Justice Johanne St-Gelais. We should take a position on the request at the next date. "

Recall that Desjardins, 59, Vittorio Mirarchi, 35, Calogero Milliioto [sic: should be Milioto], 41, Felice Rachaniello [sic: should be Racaniello], 28, and Jack Simpson, 70, are accused of premeditated murder and conspiracy to murder.

The victim in this case is Salvatore Montagna, who was considered by many experts as one of the police contenders for the title sponsor of the Montreal Mafia. Montagna was shot dead in a home on the Island Vaudry, Charlemagne, who was hired by one of the defendants, Jack Simpson.

The 70 year old man is the one that pulled the trigger? Is that the thoery?

Pietro Magistrale was granted bail at his March 21, 2013 hearing (last Thursday). Desjardins's bail hearing started on March 18, and it resumes this Thursday. The judge presiding this hearing already denied bail to Vittorio Mirarchi.

Link: http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Mafi...3871/story.html

Excerpt:

Mafioso Montagna’s murder case: Raynald Desjardins seeks bail while awaiting trial
By Paul Cherry, GAZETTE CRIME REPORTER
March 26, 2013 5:12 PM

MONTREAL — Raynald Desjardins, one of five men accused in the murder of Mafioso Salvatore Montagna, is seeking to be released on bail as he awaits trial.

The bail hearing began last week at the Gouin courthouse in northern Montreal and is being heard by Superior Court Justice Marc David. The hearing, which began on March 18, is expected to last about five days spread out over two weeks. It is scheduled to resume again on Thursday.

The murder case falls under the jurisdiction of the Joliette courthouse, because of where Montagna was killed, in Île Vaudry, a small island just east of Montreal. The bail hearing is being heard at the specially built courthouse to accommodate the parties involved. It was designed to handle cases involving many accused at the same time. However, on Tuesday, Desjardins, 59, sat alone in an enclosed area designed to hold as many as many as 40 accused while he appeared to listen intently to testimony from two investigators involved in the case. Desjardins took notes as he listened to what was said.

Evidence presented during the bail hearing is under a publication ban....

im surprised one of these guys hasn't cut a deal theres 5 guys looking at life I think. in the us 2 would have roled its been 18 months and now these guys are getting bail maybe the case is falling apart I wonder if they found the murder weapon at the house.

70 yrs old jeez! these guys really dont know when to retire!

Éric Thibault of Le Journal de Montréal wrote an article last night, published online, that suggests officers with the Services correctionnels du Québec (SCQ) might have been targeted or are potential targets in relation to moving Raynald Desjardins to another prison. Unfortunately, the French-language article at

http://www.journaldemontreal.com/2013/03/26/attaque-armee-redoutee

is currently available only to VIP members, i.e., it's a pay-to-read article. Given I can't read the rest of the article, please note I'm speculating in my first paragraph above.

You'll find slightly more content from this article by going to

http://tvanouvelles.ca/lcn/judiciaire/archives/2013/03/20130327-073957.html

Very strange events surrounding the Montagna murder trial. Magistrale, who sought bail and had it granted to him last Thursday, was re-arrested this morning.

From http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/s...e-montagna.html:

Quebec provincial police have arrested a 61-year-old man in connection with the death of alleged mafia boss Salvatore Montagna.

Pietro Magistrale was arrested in Montreal's Notre-Dame-de-Grâce–Côte-des-Neiges borough this morning.

Magistrale is expected to appear in Joliette court later today.
___________________________

The French-language article published online March 22, 2013, and found at

http://tvanouvelles.ca/lcn/judiciaire/archives/2012/03/20120322-101851.html

is about Magistrale's being granted bail last Thursday (March 21). According to the article, he faces more than a dozen charges in relation to Montagna's murder.

The newest charge against Magistrale may be first-degree murder, but I'm not sure.

Paul Cherry's current online article in the Montreal Gazette confirms that Magistrale has seen his charges revised to one of first-degree murder.

Link:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Magi...9316/story.html

Excerpt:

Magistrale to face first-degree murder in Montagna case
BY PAUL CHERRY, THE GAZETTE
MARCH 27, 2013 12:54 PM

MONTREAL — One of six men arrested in connection with the murder of Mafioso Salvatore Montagna will see charges he initially faced upgraded to first-degree murder.

The Sûreté du Québec announced Wednesday they have re-arrested Pietro Magistrale, 61, as part of the same investigation that saw him charged, in December 2011, with 19 counts related to several firearms seized during the police investigation into Montagna’s murder.

Magistrale was the only person among the six not to be charged with first-degree murder when the arrests were first made in 2011. He was granted bail in March 2012 and was scheduled to have a court date on April 3 at the Joliette courthouse. The change in the case prompted the SQ to re-arrest Magistrale and he is expected to appear in court Wednesday afternoon. According to a release issued by the police, Magistrale, a resident of Laval, was arrested in Côte des Neiges.

The release did not offer an explanation for why the case against Magistrale’s case has changed so dramatically....

Another bust in Sal the iron workers murder this morning.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/s...e-montagna.html

i like the rizzutos. whoever whacked vitos dad son ec deserves to get hit. basically wiped his family out. good luck vito!

I recently posted links to two articles in which there were respectively a) a brief mention of Magistrale's bail being granted, and b) a detailed article about the bail. From my posts, you were led to believe that Magistrale was granted bail on March 21, 2013 and then re-arrested six days later on March 27. In fact, Magistrale had been granted bail on March 21, 2012, so a little more than a year had elapsed before his re-arrest.

My apologies.

Does anyone actually know who was killing off Rizzutos family? Montagna trying to muscle in?

That's the story.

Éric Thibault's above-mentioned article, previously a pay-to-read article, is now available to read for free, in its entirety, online. The link is still the same:

http://www.journaldemontreal.com/2013/03/26/attaque-armee-redoutee

Google translation (I've made only very minor edits):

Armed attack feared
Raynald Desjardins the alleged kingpin transferred from prison for security reasons
DATE: TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2013, 10:26 P.M. | UPDATED: TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2013, 11:30 P.M.

Correctional services in Quebec are worried that their guardians are the target of an armed attack by transporting the alleged boss Raynald Desjardins charged with murder.

The Journal has learned that Desjardins, 59, was transferred from the prison of Rivière-des-Prairies, where he was imprisoned for 15 months, to the Montreal (Bordeaux), there are ten days.

This transfer allows it to be 100 metres from the centre court Gouin, where is its exceptionally survey released since March 18, rather than the Joliette courthouse.

According to our sources, this decision was motivated by the fear that the patrol wagon on which Desjardins would have made the round trip between the jail and the courthouse, "getting shot" or be ambushed.

Prison authorities apprehend more armed attack from enemies Desjardins, which is the centre of a power struggle that rages in the Montreal mafia four years. However, they do not preclude the possibility of an escape by force, with the help of allies in freedom.

The Bordeaux jail Desjardins may be escorted to the judicial centre Gouin in a tunnel that connects the two institutions, free from any external threat.

His clan attacked

The former ally of godfather Vito Rizzuto is charged with four alleged accomplices, premeditated murder of Salvatore Montagna aspiring godfather, shot dead on November 24, 2011 on the island Vaudry, Charlemagne.

Desjardins asked the Superior Court to be released on bail pending his trial, which is expected to take place in Joliette, but not before 2014.

The evidence presented during his investigation of release — to be continued tomorrow before Judge Marc David and ending April 2 — is struck by a publication ban.

Having pulled himself unscathed a shootout September 16, 2011 in Laval, Raynald Desjardins lost his friend and business partner Gaétan Gosselin, murdered in the Mercier January 22.

In addition, his brother, the former number two Joe Di Maulo mafia, was shot dead outside his home in Blainville November 4, 2012, a month after Vito Rizzuto, who was imprisoned for six years in the United States for his role in three murders dating back to 1981, returned to the country.

Marc Labelle, lawyer Desjardins chose not to comment on our information, as well as the Ministry of Public Security.
_____________________________________

• Raynald Desjardins has also been called to testify before the commission Charbonneau, at a date yet to be determined. He has been associated with the company decontamination Carboneutre, along with mobster Domenico Arcuri (who disappeared last summer after shops had been targeted by Molotov cocktails in Montreal) and the former leader of the FTQ- Construction Jocelyn Dupuis.
• In 2009, Desjardins has finished serving 15 years in prison for conspiracy to import 740 kilograms of cocaine and involving the Mafia and the Hells Angels. The drug had been abandoned off Nova Scotia in 1993.

Jonathan Mignacca was the only person charged when there was an attempt on the life of Raynald Desjardins on September 16, 2011. The murder attempt is seen as one reason for the retaliatory murder of Sal Montagna a little more than two months later on November 24, 2011.

Link to French-language article about this topic:

http://www.journaldemontreal.com/2013/04...nald-desjardins

Google translation:

A deadline to the alleged bodyguard Raynald Desjardins
CEDERICK CARON / QMI AGENCY
Posted on: Tuesday, April 2, 2013, 2:38 p.m. | Updated: Tuesday, April 2, 2013, 2:45 p.m.

LAVAL — A hearing to prepare for the trial of alleged bodyguard Raynald Desjardins, Jonathan Mignacca, among others accused of careless use of a firearm, has been postponed a week Tuesday morning at the request of the lawyer, Claude Olivier.

The latter wished to take advantage of this period to confirm new information that would be brought to his attention.

A publication ban prevents however reveal.

These elements, if proved true would affect the trial scheduled for May 13 to 17 next.

Depending on what comes out of these audits, the trial date may be postponed.

Jonathan Mignacca is accused of discharging a firearm without worrying about the safety of others, possession of a weapon for a purpose dangerous to have been in possession of prohibited ammunition, caliber .40, use of a firearm in a negligent manner and having in his possession a prohibited firearm or restricted charge, without holding a license and certificate.

September 16, 2011, Raynald Desjardins had been the target of an attack on the boulevard Lévesque under the bridge on Highway 25. Mignacca have replied to protect himself and his boss.

He is currently in custody pending his trial.

Paul Cherry covers, in one article, Desjardins's bail hearing, Mathieu Desjardins's legal troubles (Mathieu is Raynald's son), and bodyguard Jonathan Mignacca's pushed-back case.

Link:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Judge+considers+whether+grant+bail+Desjardins/8186534/story.html

Excerpts:

Judge considers whether to grant bail to Desjardins
Charged with first-degree murder in death of Salvatore Montagna
By PAUL CHERRY, The Gazette April 3, 2013

A Superior Court judge is expected to decide next month whether Raynald Desjardins should be freed on bail while charged with the first-degree murder in the death of Salvatore Montagna.

[snip]

The last person to testify at the hearing was 59-year-old Desjardins. His ex-wife, Christine Lapierre, and daughter, Vanessa Desjardins, also testified. After closing arguments were made, by defence lawyer Marc Labelle and prosecutor Eric Côté, David announced he will deliver his decision at a later date, likely in May. Montagna was shot to death on Nov. 24, 2011, in Île Vaudry, an island just east of Montreal.

While Desjardins was testifying Tuesday at the Gouin courthouse, his son Mathieu, 24, was at the St-Jérôme courthouse where he settled a criminal case brought against him in March 2012. The younger Desjardins was charged with two counts of extortion following an investigation by the Sûreté du Québec. On Tuesday, the 24-year-old was acquitted after agreeing to follow a series of conditions set in a peace bond, commonly referred to in Canadian courts as an 810, a reference to the numbered section of the Criminal Code that touches on such agreements.

With the case still pending in May last year, Mathieu Desjardins agreed to not carry any firearms while he was charged. But in June, he was charged with being in possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon after being arrested by the Montreal police. The firearm possession charge is still pending, and the next date in that case is set for October at the Montreal courthouse....

Link to French-language article:

http://www.journaldemontreal.com/2013/04/03/trois-accuses-souhaitent-un-proces-rapide

Google translation (I've made only very minor edits):

Three defendants seek a speedy trial
GUY LATOUR / QMI AGENCY
Posted on: Wednesday, April 3, 2013, 2:43 p.m. | Updated: Wednesday, April 3, 2013, 2:50 p.m.

JOLIETTE — Three of the six accused in the murder of Salvatore Montagna want their trial in the shortest possible time.

This is what lawyers for Calogero Millioto [should be Milioto], Vittorio Mirarchi and Felice Raccaniello [should be Racaniello] told the Judge Maurice Parent, at a hearing held on April 3 at the courthouse in Joliette. They said they were willing to give up their preliminary investigation to expedite court proceedings.

Recall that Millioto [should be Milioto], 41, Mirarchi, 35, Raccaniello [should be Racaniello], 28, Raynald Desjardins, 59, Pietro Magistrale, 61, and Jack Simpson, 71, are accused of premeditated murder of Salvatore Montagna, occurred November 24, 2011 Charlemagne, and conspiracy to murder.

This was considered a serious contender as godfather of the Montreal Mafia. He was killed by gun shots on the island Vaudry near a residence that had been rented by one of the defendants, Jack Simpson.

The three other suspects in this case have not taken a position at the hearing on the following procedures.

The side of the Crown, Mr. Éric Côté, has meant he wanted to hold a preliminary inquiry. It could take several weeks. A date could be set at the back of the six accused in court on April 11.

In addition, Ms. Carole Beaucage, the lawyer for Calogero Millioto [should be Milioto], asked the court to withdraw from the case, [saying she will be replaced by] Dominique Schoofey.

Recall that the prosecution's case rests mainly on the interception of messages sent by the accused device.

Desjardins to get bail?

In addition, the survey released Raynald Desjardins was completed on April 2 Gouin Judicial Services Centre in Montreal.

Recall that a publication ban prevents the media from disclosing the content of the testimonies that were heard by Judge Marc David Superior Court hearings.

It is on May 3 that the judge David will make a decision if Raynald Desjardins can regain his liberty until his trial or not. The judge has already denied a similar request in the case of Vittorio Mirarchi, last December.

Link:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Jack...5512/story.html

Excerpts:

Simpson kept in isolation as he awaits trial in Montagna murder case
BY PAUL CHERRY
GAZETTE CRIME REPORTER
JULY 9, 2013 1:06 PM

MONTREAL — One of the men charged with murdering Mafioso Salvatore Montagna is being kept in isolation while he awaits his eventual trial for the slaying.

The detail is mentioned in the written summary of a decision made by the Parole Board of Canada to officially revoke a release Jack Arthur Simpson, 71, was enjoying when he allegedly took part in Montagna’s death on Nov. 24, 2011.

[snip]

Simpson had been out on full parole, since May 2007, when Montagna was killed. [snip]

Following his release in 2007, Simpson found a job that paid him $700 a month and dealt with staggering debt that awaited him by filing for bankruptcy and by taking out a second mortgage on his home. The decision notes that in the months leading up to Montagna’s death Simpson appeared to have “done a cleanup of the people you frequented and nothing indicated that you had resumed contact with the underworld. You were not officially affiliated with any criminal organization.”

[snip]

The parole decision reveals that Simpson is currently in an isolated cell while he continues to serve his 16-year sentence inside a penitentiary north of Montreal, and that he did not request the special security measure. He was supposed to take part in his parole hearing recently but cancelled a few days before....

The pair want to remain free till their trial starts.

Link to French-language article:

http://www.journaldemontreal.com/2013/10/03/deux-accuses-veulent-etre-remis-en-liberte

Link to French-language article:

http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/soc...EUsq1EOqK8QGAeA

article from the montreal gazette that names the two men recently arrested in montagna's murder

steven fracas (29)
steven d'addario (36)

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/mont...5114/story.html

It sounds like they have no idea who puled the trigger and wasn't he at some house for a meeting and not anywhere leaving his house...??

Bad reporting

azguy,

i remember the original reporting being that he was at a house for a meeting as well, that turned out to be an ambush of some sort. it sounded like montagna broke through a window trying to escape if i remember correctly.

Yes he was driven to the house rented by Jack Simpson supposedly (I think that name is right) and after realizing he was going to be clipped he took off running out the window where witnesses heard gun shots and him taking off into the water trying to swim across.

That water was not warm I can tell you.

It definitely didn't look like it

For a guy who was once a boss or acting of the Bonanno's he did not have many people attend the funeral.

Did not look like he was that respected.

In an article this morning, they're saying that supposedly Desjardins & Di Maulo had hacked into Montagana's blackberry and found texts sent to someone working at the cisq (Criminal Intelligence Service Quebec), suggesting Montagna might've become a rat.

http://tvanouvelles.ca/lcn/infos/faitsdivers/archives/2013/11/20131115-100322.html

So Desjardins and Di Maulo were criminals turned hackers? How would've been able to do this? Did they steal Montagna's blackberry, or did they hijack a satelite?

I'm assuming they would've either hired someone who knows how to hack into Blackberries (many young hackers are able to nowadays), or that they had access to someone working at a phone company had Montagna been dumb enough to use a phone line related to any of the major phone companies where people working in customer service have access to call/text logs