The jury in the Chez Cora kidnapping case has been unable to reach a verdict, resulting in a mistrial for the accused, Paul Zaidan.
Justice François Dadour ordered the mistrial at the Laval courthouse Friday after the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision after seven days.
Zaidan owned a Chez Cora franchise on Nuns' Island that failed. He was charged with kidnapping and forcible confinement of Chez Cora president Nicolas Tsouflidis, who was allegedly abducted from his home in Mirabel in March 2017. Zaidan also was charged with trying to extort Tsouflidis's mother for $11 million.
Tsouflidis was found eight hours later in a ditch in the Sainte-Dorothée district of Laval.
The kidnapping took place five years ago. The evidence against the accused was mostly circumstantial, as the prosecution showed the jury how Zaidan’s moves could be traced that day with his cell phone.
Store footage also showed him buying items that were used in the kidnapping.
The two-month trial was marked with intense hostility on the stand from both the accused and the victim. The jury began deliberating last Saturday and told the judge Thursday that they were divided on a verdict.
The judge insisted they resume their deliberations, but less than 24 hours later, returned to confirm they were deadlocked.
Zaidan currently remains free on bail, as the prosecution is expected to request a new trial as soon as possible.
