Life in prison for alleged biker hit man

An alleged hit man for Quebec bikers was sentenced Friday to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to murder and attempted murder.

Gérald Gallant, 57, pleaded guilty to a single count of first-degree murder and attempted murder in connection to a shooting at a Laurentians bar seven years ago.

Appearing without a lawyer at his hearing at the Quebec City courthouse, Gallant told the court he understood the charges, and waived his right to a trial.

In 2001, a man walked into La Cachette bar in Ste-Adèle, killed bar owner Yvon Daigneault, and shot Michel Paquette, a client in the tavern.

The shooting remained unsolved until two years ago when Quebec police extradited Gallant from Switzerland based on DNA evidence collected at the bar.

Gallant, of Donnacona, near Quebec City, was being held by European authorities for having a false credit card and false passport.

According to the extradition request, police believe Gallant could be linked to as many as 20 murders. They alleged at that time that Gallant acted as a hit man during Quebec's biker wars.