Faced with copious and complex evidence, the jury in the trial of the ex-Cora franchisee accused of kidnapping the CEO of the breakfast restaurant chain failed to reach an agreement, forcing the abort of the trial .
“We all agree that a unanimous verdict is impossible. »
Photo Martin Alarie
Paul Zaidan is accused of kidnapping the CEO of Cora.
This is what the jury, which had been deliberating since Saturday followingnoon, wrote on Friday, for the attention of judge François Dadour.
It was the second time in 24 hours that the ten men and two women had signified their inability to agree unanimously on the fate of Paul Zaidan.
The 52-year-old man is accused of the kidnapping and kidnapping of Nicholas Tsouflidis in March 2017, as well as extortion by demanding a ransom of $ 11 million from the latter’s mother, Cora Tsouflidou.
- Listen to the summary of the news with Alexandre Dubé at the microphone of Benoit Dutrizac on QUB radio:
Not paid
The trial began in mid-November at the Laval courthouse. In total, the Crown called 36 witnesses, the defence, none.
Zaidan’s lawyers had nevertheless presented the thesis that the kidnapping was a set-up by Mr. Tsouflidis, motivated by a power struggle in the family business.
During deliberations, jurors had asked for more laundry, cigarettes and even cannabis, to which the judge agreed. This suggested that they were far from getting along.
Thursday morning, they said they did not reach a unanimous verdict, before the magistrate asked them to continue “a little more”. Jurors announced Friday morning that it was impossible for them to agree.
The judge thus ordered the abortion of the lawsuit. This is not an acquittal for Paul Zaidan. Unless the Crown waives it, a new trial should be held.
