His attorney, John T. Pepper, told the jury in an opening statement Thursday that Gary Arnold is expected to testify shortly.
Arnold faces seven counts, including kidnapping, forcible confinement, extortion and conspiracy.
Read also: She tells how she was kidnapped and taken prisoner in Magog
The Crown alleges that Sandra and James Helm, of Moira, New York, were abducted on September 27, 2020 over a drug debt case from their grandson, Mackenzie. This man had been arrested by the American authorities six days earlier in possession of 50 kilos of cocaine.
The American senior couple were freed two days later from a cottage in Magog, in the Eastern Townships, by a tactical squad from the Sûreté du Québec.
The defense attorney said Thursday that Arnold would provide an explanation of what happened during the abduction that day. He told jurors that his client will testify that he was “forced” to participate in the event.
The Crown concluded its case on Tuesday against the 54-year-old man from Godmanchester, Monteregie, after testimony from victims and a relative, as well as a slew of evidence from wiretaps and cellular data.
