Serge Quesnel

Quesnel was born in Trois-Rivières and dropped out of high school.^[1] Quesnel only had one legitimate job in his entire life, working as a cook in a fast food restaurant, which he held for all of two weeks.^[1] He began his criminal career as a professional shoplifter as a teenager before moving on to engaging in armed robbery and drug trafficking.^[2] Quesnel worked as an enforcer and debt collector for the local drug dealers, enjoying some success as he was physically very strong.^[1] His most notable feature were the two tattoos of teardrops under each of his eyes.^[2] In 1989, when he was convicted of theft and sentenced to two years in prison, Quesnel demanded that he serve his sentence at a federal prison rather than a provincial prison, feeling he would be able to make more underworld contacts in a federal prison.^[3] Quesnel's request was granted and he served his sentence at the federal Donnaconna prison outside of Quebec City, where he was able to make contacts with "teachers" who gave him the underworld connections that he craved.^[3]

Feeling that his reputation within the underworld would be improved if he committed a murder, on 9 September 1993, Quesnel together with his associate Eric "Nose" Fournier murdered a drug dealer named Richard Jobin.^[2] On 20 October 1993, Quesnel and Fournier decided to murder an automobile mechanic and part-time drug dealer named Martin Naud, whom Quesnel believed knew too much about Jobin's murder.^[2] Quesnel and Fournier broke into Naud's house.^[2] Fournier tied a shoe lace around Naud's neck while Quesnel rammed a pair of scissors into one of Naud's eyes to immobilize him.^[2] Quesnel then used the scissors to cut open Naud's throat, causing him to bleed to death.^[2] Afterwards, Quesnel and Fournier doused Naud's body in alcohol and set it afire.^[2] The murders improved Quesnel's underworld reputation as intended.^[2]

In late 1993, Quesnel was imprisoned for a drug offense.^[1] During his time at Donnacona prison, Quesnel worked as an enforcer for the more well-off prisoners who beat bloody other prisoners on behalf of his employers.^[1] Quesnel's lawyer introduced him to the Hells Angels, saying that the Angels were looking for men like him.^[1] In November 1994, upon his release from prison, Quesnel met Louis "Mélou" Roy, the president of the Trois-Rivières chapter of the Hells Angels.^[1] Roy hired Quesnel as a hitman, saying he would receive a weekly salary of $500 in cash and between $10,000 to $25,000 per murder depending upon the degree of risk.^[1] Quesnel immediately accepted Roy's offer.^[1] Quesnel stated in his memoirs: "Mélou was the richest Angel in Quebec, and I was his protégé. We travelled together, and I could see that he was among the most powerful members of the 'profession'. He carried a booklet with the names, addresses, license plate numbers and descriptions of fifty or so undesirable individuals. When I saw it, I realized that the Trois-Rivières Hells Angles were very powerful".^[4]

On 14 December 1994, Quesnel was called by Sylvain "Baptise" Thiffault, the vice-president of Trois-Rivières chapter, who gave him his first assignment.^[1] Quesnel was to kill Jacques Ferland, a Quebec City chemist who worked for the Rock Machine gang.^[1] Ferland used his chemical knowledge to make PCPs for the Rock Machine.^[1] As Ferland had no bodyguards, he was considered an easy target, and Quesnel was to receive $10,000 for killing him.^[1] To assist him, Thiffault provided as much information as possible about Ferland, such as his home address, place of work, and his favorite restaurants.^[5] On 30 January 1995, Quesnel was able to enter Ferland's house by telling his friend, André Bedard, that he wanted to see him.^[5] Bedard let Quesnel into Ferland's residence, said he had a visitor and as Ferland walked down the stairs to see his guest, Quesnel pulled out a handgun and shot Ferland in the head.^[5] Waiting for Quesnel on the street as the getaway car driver was Michel "Pit" Caron, a member of the Mercenaries, a puppet club for the Hells Angels.^[5]

Impressed, the Hells Angels gave Quesnel another contract to kill Claude "Le Pic" Rivard, a Montreal drug dealer who worked the Pelletier clan who were allied to the Rock Machine.^[5] On 3 February 1995, Quesnel followed Rivard's car down the streets of Montreal and when Rivard stopped for a red light, Quesnel pulled up his vehicle next to Rivard's car.^[2] Quesnel then pulled out a handgun and shot Rivard in the head.^[2] A police car happened to be present, and a wild car chase followed as the police car chased after Quesnel's car.^[2] Eventually, Quesnel abandoned his car and escaped via foot.^[2] Quesnel's next contract was to kill Richard "Chico" Delcourt, a Montreal drug dealer who worked independently, buying his drugs from neither the Rock Machine nor the Hells Angels.^[5] Quesnel was able to approach Delcourt and hinted to him the Angels were looking to make him into a member.^[5] Quesnel offered to drive Delcourt to an Angels party in Quebec City, an offer that he accepted.^[5] On 23 March 1995, Quesnel and Delcourt were halfway to Quebec City when Quesnel turned his car onto a remote rural road.^[2] After stopping, Quesnel pulled out a .357 Magnum handgun and shot Delcourt in the head.^[2]

Quesnel's next contract was to kill Gilles Lambert, one of the leaders of the Rock Machine, for which he was promised $50,000 in cash.^[6] Before Quesnel could make the attempt, Caron turned police informer and told the police about Quesnel's role in the Ferland murder.^[6] On 1 April 1995, Quesnel was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.^[6]