Pubdate: Fri, 13 Apr 2007
Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB)
Copyright: 2007 Winnipeg Free Press
Contact:  http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502
Author: Bruce Owen

DEATHS LINKED TO INVOLVEMENT IN DRUG WORLD

Murder Of Trio Still Unsolved

A Hells Angels associate blames his role in the city's drug world for
the still-unsolved murders of his parents and brother in St. Leon more
than a year ago, a National Parole Board document says.

Denis Jerome Labossiere, currently serving a six-year prison sentence,
told parole officials the November 2005 deaths of Fernand, Rita and
Remi Labossiere were connected to his involvement selling drugs.

"If the board needs any indication that you were involved in a
dangerous subculture, it need look no further than the tragedy
surrounding the murders of your parents and brother," the parole board
document said.

"You attribute their deaths to your involvement in the trafficking of
cocaine."

The admission is the first time Labossiere has linked the slayings to
his life of crime.

RCMP continue to investigate the slayings.

Labossiere, 36, is serving a six-year prison sentence at Stony
Mountain Institution for trafficking two kilograms of almost pure
cocaine for the Hells Angels. He was arrested more than a year ago in
an undercover sting operation that resulted in the arrests of three
members of the Hells Angels for drug and other offences.

Fernand, Rita and Remi Labossiere were found dead in the charred
rubble of their family farmhouse just outside St. Leon, southwest of
Winnipeg. At first it was believed they perished in an accidental
fire, but further forensic investigation showed each had been shot
prior to the mysterious fire.

The parole board decision sheets were prepared last month as Jerome is
eligible for day parole May 29 -- by that time he will have served one
year of his six-year sentence.

However, day parole does not seem likely, according to the
document.

"The board is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to believe
that, if released, you are likely to commit an offence involving
violence before the expiration of your sentence and therefore, directs
that you not be released," the decision sheet says.

"Your offending appears directly related to your criminal values,
negative associations and to greed," it continues. "You have been
dubbed a "highly sophisticated trafficker" and the Board has made the
determination that you have been part of a subculture which condones
the use of instrumental violence."

The family's $1.3-million estate is now tied up in the courts over a
fight between the family and Jerome Labossiere.

Remi created a will in August 2000 in which he designated six nephews
and nieces to receive the assets of his 690-acre farmland, house,
machinery and other personal goods. Remi had taken over the farm
operation from his father.

However, Jerome claims his brother Remi produced a new will in July
2005 that leaves all of Remi's property to him and his family.
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