Witness tells Richard Bain he will 'burn in hell' during sentencing hearing

A stagehand who was standing next to his friend when the man was shot and killed outside a Parti Qubcois electionnight rally in 2012told a court today how that moment sent his life into a downward spiral.

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Denis Blanchette, a 48-year-old Montreal father,died and another stagehand was seriously injured when a masked Richard Henry Bain, 66, opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle outside Montreal's Metropolis concert hall.

At Bain's sentencing hearing onFriday, the Crown and defence lawyers submitted their arguments in Quebec Superior Court atthe Montreal courthouse.

Bain, who is currently being held at Montreal'sRivire-des-Prairiesdetention centre,was found guilty ofsecond-degree murder by a jury last month.

He was also found guilty of three counts of attempted murder one count for stagehand Dave Courage, who was seriously injured, one count for provincial police officer Sgt. Stphane Champagne, and one count for a group of a dozen stagehands who were standing nearby.

He could have to wait anywherebetween 10 and 25 years before he's eligible to apply for parole.

Today's hearing will help Justice Guy Cournoyer decide how early Bain canapply for parole.

Crown prosecutor Dennis Galiatsatos is asking that Bain receive the maximum sentence of 25 years in prison before he's eligible for parole.

He argued the attack would have been"a bloodbath of unspeakable proportions" if Bain'sgun didn'tjam, and if police had not intervened.

"It was an assembly of citizens celebrating democracy ... freedom of speech,cherished rights of Canadians," he said.

Stagehand recalls shooting

The court also heard victim impact statements from four stagehands and the sister of the murder victim.

Stagehand Jonathan Dubstruggled through his prepared statement, pausing several times to take a deep breathand gather himself.

At one point, he addressed Bain directlyand said: "You're going to burn in hell."

He told the court that he'd struggled with substance abuse in the past, but by the time of the attack he was"practically rehabilitated."

He'd managed to get a job as a stagehand, and friend Denis Blanchette had become like a brother to him, showing him the ropes of the trade.

After Blanchette was murdered just steps away from him, Dub said hereturned to drugs, something he'd swore never to do again.

"My pain was so great. My despair so black. The wound so deep," he told the court.

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The court also heard from another stagehand, GaelGhiringhelli.

He said since the attackhe's sufferedfrom depression, nightmaresand insomnia.

If there was a single miracle in this event, it's that the gun jammed.- GaelGhiringhelli, stagehand

"Imagine what it means to survive such an event, because we're talking about survival here," he told the court.

He said it's been difficult, but every time his mind goes to dark places, he remembers that he was spared the night of the shooting.

"If there was a single miracle in this event, it's that the gun jammed," he said.

Sister of murder victim speaks

Blanchette's sister Diane was the final witness to address the court.

She turned to face Bain, who maintained a neutral expression, and spoke to him on her brother's behalf, as if she was delivering his words.

"You took away my right to life, my rightto be a father," she said.

Blanchette's daughter was four years old whenhe was killed.

Defence seeks minimum sentence

Bain's lawyer argued for the minimum sentence, proposing thatBainbe allowed to apply for parole after 10 years in prison.

AlanGuttmanpointed outthat the National Assembly shooter, DenisLortie,got the minimum for his second-degree murder conviction, arguing that sets a precedent.

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But the Crown prosecutor poked holes in that theory.

He argued that while there are factual similarities between the two cases, Lortie's case was in court roughly 30 years ago and it's not clear why the judge decided to give him the minimum.

He said legally speaking, the comparisonhas "no meat on its bones."

Guttman also highlighted that Bain had no criminal past andno history of violence. He added that Bain is a completely different person today, due to a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and new mood-stabilizing medication.

Bain apologizes to victims

Before the hearing wrapped up, the judge asked Bainif he had anything to say.

Bainstood up and saidhe wanted to address the victims and their families,and offer his "sincerest apologies."

He called the events of that night a "terrible terrible tragedy."

The judge is expected to deliver his decision on Nov. 18.

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