Bail hearing Tuesday for Quebec teens in alleged murder plot involving peers

ST-HYACINTHE, Que. – Two Quebec teens facing multiple charges in an alleged murder conspiracy plot against three of their peers are scheduled to attend a bail hearing Tuesday.

The two boys, who are 14 and 16, were arrested last Wednesday and arraigned Thursday.

Provincial police said a search at the Polyvalente Hyacinthe-Delorme high school in St-Hyacinthe yielded evidence the youths were on the verge of carrying out the plot against three classmates.

On Monday, the local school board released a statement by the school principal, who said the institution acted right away when informed of the alleged plot.

“When the suspicions of a conspiracy were brought to our attention by the parent of one of the two (accused)… we immediately told provincial police,” said principal Nancy Prevereault. “That’s when an investigation was triggered.”

Prevereault credited solid communication between the parents of the alleged victims and those of the accused.

Provincial police have previously said officers were able to act promptly because of the help of school authorities as well as the vigilance of the parents, who were monitoring an exchange of messages on social media.

A spokesman for the force declined to elaborate on the case Monday because it is before the courts. The Crown also said it couldn’t comment any further.

Prevereault said the students who were targeted in the alleged plot have been offered any support they need.

Other parents were also informed of what happened and on Monday, the focus was on providing support to everyone at the 1,800-student Hyacinthe-Delorme.

“We are well aware that these events are likely to raise concerns and questions,” she said.

The bail hearing will be held before a youth court judge in St-Hyacinthe, about 60 kilometres east of Montreal.