A man involved in the brazen attempt on the life of alleged Montreal Mafia leader Leonardo Rizzuto will remain behind bars. Steve Emmanuel Barthelemy, 36, was recently denied both day and full parole by the Parole Board of Canada, a decision reached after a thorough review of his case.
Barthelemy claims he was merely a driver, unaware of his brother-in-law Kevin Rochebrun’s deadly intentions. He testified that he simply enjoyed driving the rented Porsche and followed Rochebrun’s instructions on the highway, accelerating and slowing down as directed, oblivious to the impending violence.
The attack unfolded in broad daylight on Highway 440 in Laval, March 2023. Rizzuto, driving along the busy highway, was struck by three bullets, managing to pull over and seek immediate medical attention. He spent several days hospitalized, his life hanging in the balance.
Investigators revealed that Barthelemy agreed to drive the luxury vehicle for money, claiming ignorance of any firearm or the target’s identity. He even stated he lacked “criminal reflexes” and believed it was a normal day, despite the dangerous circumstances he willingly entered.
Prior to his arrest, Barthelemy led a seemingly ordinary life, working as a croupier in a casino with no prior criminal record. While connections to a street gang were suggested, he vehemently denied any affiliation, attributing his upbringing in a crime-ridden neighborhood as the sole context.
Rochebrun pleaded guilty to attempted murder in May 2024, receiving a ten-year sentence. Barthelemy’s plea to charges related to the firearm resulted in a five-year term, leaving him with three years and seven months to serve at the time of his parole hearing.
Notably, Rizzuto himself has remained silent, refusing to cooperate with police investigators throughout the entire investigation. This silence adds another layer of complexity to the case and the motivations behind the attack.
A disturbing incident in December 2024 further complicated matters. Barthelemy was hospitalized after a drug overdose, suspecting another inmate had slipped the substance into his food. Despite this, he expressed no fear of retribution for his role in the attempted hit.
The parole board acknowledged the support structure in Barthelemy’s release plan, but ultimately deemed parole premature. They concluded that his release would pose an unacceptable risk to society and would not contribute to his successful reintegration as a law-abiding citizen.
The board’s decision underscores the seriousness of his involvement and the potential danger he still represents. For now, Steve Emmanuel Barthelemy will continue to serve his sentence, his bid for freedom denied.
