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The case in which Stephan Probst, the former head of nuclear medicine at the Jewish General Hospital, was convicted along with his girlfriend Wendy Devera of sexually assaulting a woman entered the sentencing stage on Tuesday with both announcing they are changing lawyers.
On Aug. 29, Probst, 46, and Wendy Devera, 31, were convicted of sexually assaulting a young woman together. The Criminal Code offence carries a maximum sentence of 14 years.
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During the trial, the young woman, whose identity is protected by a standard publication ban, testified that during the summer of 2020, she wanted to experience having sex with a woman. She said she met Devera through a dating app called Bumble and arranged to meet her. She also said that when she was told Probst would be present, she told Devera that she had no interest in having sex with a man because she was in a relationship with a boyfriend.
She said that she suspected Probst slipped something in a drink when she arrived at his penthouse apartment and later raped her while she was having sex with Devera.
On Tuesday, a new lawyer representing both Probst and Devera informed Quebec Court Judge Suzanne Costom that he will be taking over the case from defence lawyers Ana Maria Mocanu and Valérie Riendeau.
The new attorney asked that the case be carried over to November for a formality hearing so he can become familiar with the case. Costom agreed with the request and also set two days in March to begin sentence arguments.
The new lawyer noted that Devera is a permanent resident in Canada, which means she could be deported depending on the sentence she receives.
The sexual-assault conviction also means Probst is currently not allowed to practise medicine in Quebec.
In an exchange of emails, Leslie Labranche, a spokesperson for the Collège des Médicins, wrote: “The motions committee concluded that there is a link between the criminal offence of which Dr. Probst was convicted and the practice of the medical profession, and that provisional disbarment is necessary for the protection of the public.”
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