A woman from Montreal’s south shore has been found guilty on all charges in the 2022 deaths of her wife and their two young children.
The jury rendered the verdict Monday at the Longueuil, Que., courthouse during the triple murder trial of 38-year-old Levana Ballouz. She was facing life in prison without parole for at least 25 years.
Ballouz was charged with the second-degree murder of her spouse Synthia Bussières, 38, and with the first-degree murders of their two sons, five-year-old Eliam and two-year-old Zac. The accused was arrested in Brossard in September 2022.
The allegations presented by Quebec’s Crown prosecutors indicated Ballouz stabbed her wife more than 20 times and suffocated their two sons before attempting to take her own life. Throughout the proceedings, Ballouz chose to waive her right to legal counsel and defended herself.
During the trial, she alleged her wife had harmed the children and then attacked her when returning to their apartment. The testimonies were debated during the five-week trial, culminating last week when Ballouz made her final closing arguments to the jury.
According to prosecutors, on the night of the murders, Ballouz attacked Bussières, stabbing her 23 times as she tried to defend herself. Following the tragic incident, Ballouz reportedly drank beer and planned to kill their two young children, later attempting to destroy evidence and take her own life by consuming windshield washer fluid.
The jury was pivotal as it deliberated for two days before delivering the verdict. Significantly, they asked for clarifications on two witnesses’ testimonies as part of their decision-making process.
Ballouz, identified as Mohamad Al Ballouz at the time of the incident, nodded as the verdict was read. Outside the courthouse, Bussières's mother, Sylvie Guertin, expressed relief over the outcome. "We've been impatiently waiting for this day," she shared. "We were wondering this morning if there would be more delays … but for my daughter ... justice has finally been served."
The verdicts imply the jury accepted the Crown’s narrative, which portrayed Ballouz as the initial aggressor. After the verdict announcement, court procedures entered the sentencing phase during which the jury would also recommend the timeframe before Ballouz could be eligible for parole.
First-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence without the possibility of parole for 25 years, whereas second-degree murder convictions can come with parole eligibility ranging from 10 to 25 years. The court will decide the exact duration of Ballouz's parole eligibility based on the jury’s recommendations.
Crown prosecutor Éric Nadeau emphasized throughout the trial the horrific nature of the crimes, as emergency responders discovered Bussières's body and the children unconscious upon arriving at the family’s residence following reports of smoke.
Despite representing herself and alleging Bussières had fatally harmed the children, the jury found Ballouz guilty on all counts related to the heinous crime committed two years prior.
Guertin expressed her support for prosecutor Nadeau, saying he "did an excellent job." She conveyed hope moving forward, emphasizing her wish to begin the grieving process after the lengthy trial.
Ballouz’s trial continues to stir discussions within the community, highlighting the tragic circumstances surrounding domestic violence. The impact on the affected families resonates through communities, emphasizing the grief experienced by loved ones.
Following the verdict's announcement, the legal proceedings will continue as the families prepare for the final steps of closure and potential sentencing for the convicted individual. Many remain hopeful the justice served today brings some peace as they navigate their sorrow.