Trial begins for Quebec gory film-maker, accused of corrupting morals

MONTREAL – A jury trial is under way for a Quebec special-effects artist who faces criminal charges because he produces gory horror films.

Remy Couture is charged with corrupting morals through the distribution of obscene materials.

He has waited more than three years to get to trial.

He was arrested because of short, sexually explicit horror films based on a character he created and wanted to bring to life on a website named “Inner Depravity.”

Couture was arrested in October 2009 and he faces three charges.

The court heard today that Interpol was first alerted to the images and videos in 2006; they were deemed so realistic that a pathologist couldn’t rule out that a homicide had been committed.

A Montreal police investigator who did the initial probe testified that she never believed the images were real.

The Crown says it will call five witnesses during the trial and it plans to present the videos and photos.

Prosecutor Michel Pennou says the sexually charged nature of the material led to the charges.

The prosecution views the work as obscene, with scenes of necrophilia and simulated rape.

A seven-woman, five-man jury is hearing the case.