Mother of Edmonton homicide victim feels blindsided as accused killer granted bail

The mother of Aylissa Rovere, a woman from Edmonton who was tragically killed last September, expressed shock and disbelief upon learning that the man accused of her daughter’s homicide, Collin Boucher-Gionet, has been granted bail. Boucher-Gionet, 34, is facing charges of second-degree murder and indignity to human remains in connection with Rovere’s death. He has a history of run-ins with the law and was on probation at the time of the alleged killing.

Rovere’s mother, Jodi Dunn, is struggling to understand why Boucher-Gionet has been given the opportunity for additional freedoms despite the serious charges against him. She believes that releasing someone with a criminal past like his is simply another slap on the wrist and does not make sense. Dunn expressed her concerns about the impact this decision could have on many people’s lives and questioned the efficacy of the justice system.

Boucher-Gionet’s release on bail comes with several conditions, including a cash deposit of $2,500 and 24-hour house arrest under the supervision of a surety. He is prohibited from consuming illicit drugs or alcohol, carrying weapons, and contacting a list of 24 individuals, including Dunn. The Crown consented to these release conditions, leading to the cancellation of a bail hearing that had been scheduled for March 7.

In response to the backlash over Boucher-Gionet’s release, his lawyer, Stacey Purser, emphasized that her client is entitled to be presumed innocent and to receive reasonable bail, regardless of the charges against him. She explained that bail is about mitigating risk, and the conditions proposed for Boucher-Gionet were deemed sufficient by the Crown to protect the public.

Rovere, a 32-year-old mother of two, went missing on September 6, and her body was discovered a week later in Parkland County. Dunn revealed that her daughter had been trying to leave her relationship with Boucher-Gionet. The accused has been in custody since his arrest in September following a public warrant issued by the Edmonton police.

The decision to release Boucher-Gionet while the case progresses through the justice system has left Dunn feeling uneasy and disappointed. She believes that survivors of domestic violence seeking justice and protection from the courts will be discouraged by this decision, as it sends a troubling message. BJ Darton, who has guardianship of Boucher-Gionet’s children, echoed Dunn’s sentiments, expressing concern that the release undermines faith in the criminal justice system.

Despite the outrage surrounding Boucher-Gionet’s bail, the Crown prosecution service declined to comment on the specifics of the case. They emphasized that every accused person has the right to reasonable bail unless there is just cause to deny it. The decision to grant bail is based on the relevant facts presented at the time of the hearing, with the goal of ensuring that accused individuals are not unjustly detained.

The release of Boucher-Gionet has left Lillian Kuervers, a woman who was previously threatened by the accused, feeling unsafe. Kuervers, who considered Boucher-Gionet her foster child, is now taking steps to protect herself and her children. She expressed doubts about the efficacy of court orders in keeping victims safe and highlighted the shortcomings of the justice system in protecting those at risk.

The case of Collin Boucher-Gionet has sparked outrage and raised questions about the effectiveness of the justice system in addressing cases of domestic violence and homicide. As the legal proceedings continue, the families of the victims and the community at large are left grappling with the implications of granting bail to a person accused of such serious crimes.