James and Sandra Helm of Moira, New York are seen being held captive in Quebec in 2020, in this court handout image received January 17, 2023. Gary Arnold, the Quebec man charged in the case will testify in his own defence.THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Exhibit, Quebec Superior Court **MANDATORY CREDIT**
MONTREAL – A Quebec man charged in the case of a couple from Upstate New York who were kidnapped and smuggled into Quebec in September 2020 will testify in his own defence.
Defence lawyer John T. Pepper Jr. told the jury in an opening statement that Gary Arnold is expected to take the stand today.
Arnold faces seven charges including kidnapping, unlawful confinement, extortion and conspiracy.
The Crown says that Sandra and James Helm of Moira, N.Y., were taken on Sept. 27, 2020 over a drug debt owed by their grandson, Mackenzie, who had been arrested by U.S. authorities six days prior in possession of 50 kilograms of cocaine.
The couple was freed two days later from a chalet in Magog, Que. by a Quebec provincial police tactical unit.
The defence lawyer said Arnold will provide an explanation of what happened during the kidnapping and the accused will testify about being “forced” to take part in the event.
The Crown concluded its case on Tuesday against the 54-year-old from Godmanchester, Que., after testimony from the victims and a relative as well as a wealth of wiretap and cellular data.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 19, 2023.
