SAINT-JEROME, Que. - A former Quebec doctor who is awaiting a new trial on charges he killed his two children has been granted bail.
A judge ruled today that Guy Turcotte should be freed pending his first-degree murder trial next September.
Turcotte, 42, is charged in the stabbing deaths of his children Olivier, 5, and Anne-Sophie, 3, at a rented family home north of Montreal in early 2009.
A jury found Turcotte not criminally responsible in 2011 and he was released from a psychiatric institution in December 2012. The Quebec Court of Appeal overturned the verdict last November, citing errors by the trial judge in his instructions to the jury.
The higher court ordered a new trial, leading to Turcotte's re-arrest in late 2013.
Turcotte told the court during his bail hearing last week he should be freed because it is his right and that he could be of more use to society as a caregiver to some of his relatives instead of spending time in prison.
A Crown spokesman said Friday he will take the time to review the judgment before deciding whether to appeal.
"We're going to take the time to analyze it before making any further comment," said Rene Verret.
"Obviously, we wanted a different conclusion but the judgment is extremely reasoned. He (the judge) has laid out the reasons for reaching that conclusion."
A psychiatrist testifying for the defence explained last week that Turcotte had suffered from a deep depression, including psychotic symptoms, but has improved during the summer and would not represent a danger to society if released on bail.
Turcotte's brother offered to put up $100,000 to secure his release and testified the accused had continued to be surrounded by long-standing friends since his release.
