Coulonge murder trial advances; preliminary inquiry scheduled

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Businessman in handcuffs faces judge in court

Allyson Beauregard

FORT-COULONGE – John Mitchell Blake MacLennan, a 38-year-old Fort-Coulonge man charged with first degree murder after a man was killed in Fort-Coulonge in September 2020, remains in custody with a preliminary inquiry scheduled for five days from January 10 to 14, 2022 in Gatineau.
In October 2020, the defense requested more evidence before moving forward with preliminary hearings. According to Simon Pelletier, co-prosecutor along with Stéphane Rolland, additional disclosure was provided to MacLennan’s lawyer, Vincent Mendo, although details on the content aren’t available.
“No evidence has been revealed as of yet. It will eventually be during the preliminary inquiry,” Pelletier told the Journal, noting the objective of an inquiry, which the defense requested, is usually to see the strength of the evidence against the accused.
MacLennan is currently being held in custody in Hull following the altercation that took place on Principale Street in Fort-Coulonge on September 2, 2020. Once on the scene, the Sûreté du Québec
discovered the body of Harold Plugowsky, a 61-year-old man. Following a hearing on September 3, MacLennan was charged with first-degree murder.