Haitian-Canadian artist Luck Mervil, known for his roles in “Notre-Dame de Paris” and “Les Muses orphelines”, has been found guilty of sexual assault by the Quebec Superior Court for an incident that occurred nearly a quarter of a century ago. The verdict was delivered on Thursday at the end of a highly publicized trial in Rimouski.
The events date back to the night of June 23–24, 2000, after a performance held during the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day celebrations. According to the complainant, who was 19 years old at the time, she was unknowingly drugged before being sexually assaulted in a hotel room. During the trial, she provided testimony that Judge James Rondeau described as “credible, precise, and consistent.” In contrast, Mervil’s account—claiming mistaken identity—was deemed “vague and contradictory.”
This conviction adds to the artist’s troubled legal history. In 2018, he served a six-month community sentence and was placed on the national sex offender registry after pleading guilty to charges of sexual exploitation involving a minor.
Following Thursday’s verdict, Mervil reaffirmed his innocence and announced his intention to appeal the decision.
“For now, we are focusing on the next legal steps and ask that our family’s privacy be respected. No further comments will be issued,” the artist stated in a brief Facebook post.
Mervil’s attorney also signaled plans to challenge the credibility of the evidence presented in court.“Mr. Mervil disagrees with the verdict and maintains his innocence,” said his lawyer, Me Véronique Talbot, as quoted by the Quebec newspaper Le Devoir.
The sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 6, 2025. Mervil faces the possibility of a prison sentence, the length of which will depend on the severity of the offense and his prior record.
Of Haitian origin, Luck Mervil began his career in the 1990s with the group RudeLuck, later achieving rapid success, notably at the Francofolies de Montréal and the Festival d’été de Québec in 1994. A popular figure, he performed before thousands, including during Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa in 1997.
Politically active, he is known for his support of Quebec independence, earning him the title “Patriot of the Year” from the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste.
Mervil has long been involved in humanitarian causes, particularly in his native Haiti. He served as spokesperson for the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI) and, following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, founded the NGO Vilaj Vilaj to help rebuild destroyed villages.
His career has been marked by music, political engagement, and international solidarity. However, his legal troubles have significantly tarnished his public image.
