Friends mourn, seek answers as house party stabbing suspect faces court

The trial began for Vincent Dilaj, 21, who is accused of murdering Julien Houle, 24, at a house party in Boucherville, Que.

Friends and relatives of a 24-year-old South Shore man who was killed last week at a house party, packed a Longueuil court room, trying to figure out how the tragedy unfolded.

Julien Houle was stabbed to death in the early hours of March 20, in his parent’s house after an all-night long party.

Police arrested 21-year-old Vincent Dilaj, who was charged with premeditated murder.

“They are boys. They are drunk. They are on drugs. Sure, something stupid can happen. But to kill? I don’t get it,” said Daphnee Lafrance, a friend of Houle.

The events unfolded on De Bresolettes Street in Boucherville while Houle’s parents were away.

In the middle of the night, Houle was stabbed and killed. 21-year-old Dilaj was charged with first degree murder. On Tuesday, the victim’s friends came to attend Dilaj’s bail hearing.

”I came here because I wanted to find out why he was killed,” said Benjamin Monette, who is still shaken three days after the tragedy.

“He was a good friend. Sincerely he was a good friend, always there for me,” added Maxim Adjani-Langlais, who drove from Blainville to Longueuil to look at the accused as he sat in the prisoner’s box.

For Anthony Estide, the shock was even worst. He was a close friend of both the accused and victim.

“I just lost two friends, he said. I lost Julien, and I lost Vincent.”

Dilaj’s court appearance was relatively short. The prosecutor and the defence agreed to postpone the case, until April 17. Bail is rarely granted to people charged with murder.

However, it’s not clear yet what the defence plans to do. None of the allegations have been proven in court.