Judge delays bail decision for driver accused of hitting unhoused woman in Brossard, Que.
Crown argues accused poses a threat to public safety
A Quebec judge will decide Monday whether a man accused of deliberately hitting an unhoused woman with his car will be granted bail.
The judge in a Longueuil, Que., courthouse said the evidence presented was worrisome and that he needed the weekend to deliberate.
This follows charges laid against 46-year-old Luigi Fragomele in connection with a hit and run in Brossard, Que., last week that seriously injured a 44-year-old woman experiencing homelessness.
Fragomele is charged with dangerous driving, assault with a weapon — a vehicle — leaving the scene of an accident and mischief.
The incident occurred on a residential street, beside a makeshift encampment that residents said appeared the day before the alleged assault on May 27.
The Crown argued Thursday that the accused poses a threat to public safety.
To support its case, the Crown presented surveillance footage from a nearby business showing the accused's car entering the area where the encampment was located — twice.
The court also heard 911 calls denouncing the incident and the testimony of a neighbour, who said Fragomele had remarked that "he was going to take care of it" during a conversation about the encampment.
The neighbour testified that after hearing screams, she saw Fragomele return to his home a few minutes later and that he did not answer when she knocked on his door.
The victim is recovering from surgery for a broken ankle.
Fragomele was questioned by the Crown, the defence and the judge. He introduced himself by stating his name, date of birth, address and astrological sign.
He denied having anger-management issues when questioned by the Crown, but told the judge he can't predict how he will react in new situations.
Defence lawyer Eric Coulombe proposed several conditions for Fragomele's release, including that he give up his driver's licence and live with his father, who resides near his workplace. The family was willing to post $10,000 in bail.
The Crown opposed the release, arguing that granting bail would undermine public trust, considering the attack seemed gratuitous in nature and occurred in the context of a housing crisis and rising violence against people experiencing homelessness.
Fragomele stood in the prisoner's box in handcuffs as the judge announced his decision to postpone the bail ruling.
Written by Isaac Olson and Annabelle Olivier, with files from Gloria Henríquez