Former Canadian judge accused of killing wife pleads guilty to manslaughter [Video]

A retired Quebec judge who spent years behind bars and was facing a second murder trial in his wife’s 2009 shooting death pleaded guilty to manslaughter, putting an end to a nearly 15-year legal battle.

Jacques Delisle appeared at the Quebec City courthouse Thursday to admit to one count of manslaughter. He walked in slowly, wearing a navy suit and a mask.

Delisle’s lawyer told the courtroom his client did not shoot his wife Marie Nicole Rainville but he caused her death by leaving a loaded gun next to her at her request. Jacques Larochelle described Delisle as a loving husband to an ailing wife, but his lawyer acknowledged he had taken a more active role in her death by suicide than previously admitted.

Crown prosecutor François Godin supported the manslaughter plea, but said he did not agree with the defence’s version of events. The prosecution accepted the plea in part because of Délisle’s age …