On eve of trial, man admits to murder of Max Boudreau

Crying and sobs could be heard Monday in a Moncton courtroom filled with family and friends of Max Boudreauas a man admitted to killing him with an axe in 2022.

Justin Barrow,who was set to stand trial on a charge of first-degree murder over four weeks starting next week, pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of second-degree murder.

The 43-year-old Moncton manadmitted killing Boudreau on Nov. 15, 2022.

Second-degree is a homicide that generally involves less planning than first-degree.

Outside the courthouse after Barrow's plea, Boudreau's mother,Lise Lamoureux, wasdistraught.

"In my eyes, he got away with murder," shesaid.

WATCH | 'What about justice for our family?':

A mother's grief. Lise Lamoureux reacts to guilty plea

4 months ago

Duration 0:48

The mother of Max Boudreau speaks to reporters after Justin Barrow pleads guilty to second-degree murder.

A few minutes earlier, the details Barrow was admitting were outlined toCourt of King's Bench Justice Robert DysartbyCrown prosecutor Maurice Blanchard.

Blanchard saidBoudreau had gone to Angie's Show Palace, a strip club in Dieppe, with several friends.

Blanchard said Boudreau left in a taxi around 2:55 a.m. and Barrow, who worked at the strip club as a DJ,followed the taxi in his own vehicle.

Blanchard said Barrow interceptedthe taxi after a short distance, and Boudreau got into Barrow's vehicle.

The prosecutor said Barrow drove toward Irishtown and stopped on Paris Boulevard in a subdivision under construction.There, Blanchard said there was a dispute.

"Mr. Barrow struck Mr. Boudreau with his fists," Blanchard said. "He then cut him using a knife and finally struck him with an axe."

Barrow left Boudreau's remains there.The prosecutor said Barrow led police to the sceneon Nov. 22.

More than two dozen people were in the Moncton courtroom as the plea was entered.

Several sobbed and wiped away tears as Blanchard outlined the details of the crime.

The prosecutor said more details are expected to be provided at sentencing, which has been scheduled forJuly 30.

July sentencing

Dysartsaid second-degree murder carries an automatic sentence of life in prison with no chance of parole for at least 10 years.

The judge said that will leave him with one decision at sentencing: how long before Barrow will be eligible for parole.

The Crown, and Barrow's lawyer Martin Goguen, indicated they will have a joint sentencing recommendation for the judge.

Fifteen victim impact statements will be gathered ahead of his sentencing.

A pre-sentence report about Barrow will also be prepared.

A no-communication order between Barrow, his wife and children was lifted Monday with his plea.

"As of today, he gets to talk to his family, gets visitation rights," Boudreau's mother said outside court through tears.

"I don't get to call back my son."