Quebec Judge Restricts Prison Privileges for Woman Who Killed Cyclist in 2021
MONTREAL – Christine Pryde, convicted of killing a cyclist while driving in 2021, will no longer be permitted to use Uber Eats or Facebook while serving her sentence under house arrest. The restrictions were imposed by Quebec court Judge Dennis Galiatsatos, who expressed concern over inconsistencies in how the province’s courts are applying a recent amendment regarding judgments being delivered in English before official translation.
The case gained renewed attention not only due to the severity of the original crime-the death of a cyclist-but also because of Judge Galiatsatos’s broader critique of practices within the Quebec judicial system. He highlighted a “patchwork” of inconsistent approaches among judges regarding the application of Article 10, which concerns the timing of translations for judgments.This legal debate unfolded alongside Pryde’s appeal of her guilt verdict,with her defense arguing the conviction was the result of errors beyond the constitutional questions raised.
Galiatsatos noted the Quebec Prosecutors Office (PGQ) ”seems to tolerate” judges filing judgments in English and requesting translation afterward, a practice he deems unsustainable.He cited a September 9th case where the PGQ “formally consented” to a Quebec Court judge issuing a judgment instantly in English, effectively circumventing the requirement for immediate translation. “Thus, the PGQ has now essentially endowed that article 10 does not require an immediate translation,” Galiatsatos wrote.
Defense counsel Jessy Héroux described the conviction as an “accident” and “not a crime,” and asserted that the errors made by Judge Galiatsatos extended beyond the constitutional debate. Pryde is appealing the guilty verdict. The judge’s decision to restrict her privileges during house arrest underscores the seriousness with which the court views the case and the ongoing concerns about consistent application of legal procedures.
