Madame le Corbeau
Encyclopedia
Marguerite Pitre also known as Marguerite Ruest-Pitre and as "Madame le Corbeau" ("Madame Raven") because she always wore black clothes, was a Canadian conspirator in a mass murder
carried out by the bombing of an airliner
. The 13th and last woman to be hanged
in Canada
, he was executed
on January 9, 1953 in Montreal
, Quebec
.
Albert Guay – although at his trial it was suggested that he was actually a watch and jewellery salesman – was having an extramarital affair with 19-year-old waitress Marie-Ange Robitaille. Marguerite Pitre helped to arrange liaisons between them. Guay decided to murder his wife, the former Rita Morel; after he considered poisoning her, he finally decided to kill her by bombing an airliner on which she was embarked as a passenger. He asked Pitres brother, clockmaker Généreux Ruest, to manufacture a bomb using dynamite
, batteries
, and an alarm clock
. Pitre purchased the dynamite at a hardware store
, claiming it was to be used to clear a field.
On September 9, 1949, Rita Guay was scheduled to board Canadian Pacific Air Lines Flight 108, a Douglas DC-3
aircraft, at L'Ancienne-Lorette, a suburb of Quebec City
, Quebec
, where it made a scheduled stopover during a flight from Montreal
to Baie-Comeau. On the day of the flight, Albert Guay purchased a $CAD
10,000 insurance policy on his wife, which he would attempt to collect three days later. Pitre delivered the package containing the bomb to the plane, supposedly for mail delivery, Albert secreted it in Ritas luggage, and Rita boarded the plane for the flight to Baie-Comeau, unaware of the danger.
The flight was delayed five minutes at takeoff; this apparently thwarted Guays desire to have the explosion take place over the Saint Lawrence River
, which would have made forensic examination of the crash impossible with the technology then available to forensic scientists. The bomb instead exploded over Cap Tourmente
near Sault-au-Cochon
in the Charlevoix
region of Quebec, causing the plane to crash and killing Rita Guay and all of the other 22 people on board.
, and was executed in Montreal on January 12, 1951.
After his conviction, Guay issued a statement, claiming that Ruest and Pitre had knowingly abetted his plans; it has been speculated that Guays motive in denouncing his accomplices was to buy time to delay his own execution, believing that he would be called to testify at their trials. As a result, Ruest was arrested on June 6, 1950, and Pitre on June 14, 1950. Ruest maintained his innocence, claiming that he thought the bomb was to be used to clear tree stumps from a field. He was tried, with Guay testifying against him, and convicted in November 1950; sentenced to death by hanging, and he was executed in Montreal on July 25, 1952.
Pitre attempted suicide, but failed. Her trial began on March 6, 1951. She, too, maintained her innocence, claiming that Albert Guay had told her that the package she was transporting on the day of the bombing contained a statue. Albert Guay already had been executed and therefore could not testify against her, but she was found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging.
s, ands climbed to the prisons third floor. After a few moments with her escorts, she entered the ante-room where the hangman
was waiting for her. She walked to the gallows at 12:35 a.m. on January 9, 1953, and was pronounced dead 15 minutes later. Jail authorities said she displayed no fear and that "everything was normal."
, British Columbia
, reporting on January 9, 1953 under a large black heading "Madame Corbeau Goes to Gallows" that "Mrs. Marguerite Pitre, a 43-year-old Quebec City housewife who put a time-bomb aboard an airliner that later crashed and killed 23 persons, was hanged early today at Bordeaux jail as Canada closed the books on its most fantastic murder in history."
In addition to being involved in Canadas worst mass murder to that date. Pitre also holds the distinction of being the last woman executed in Canada.
and 1984 film of the same name by Denys Arcand
. In 1949, Lemelin had been a friend and neighbour of Guay, as well as being the Quebec correspondent for Time
magazine.
The novel Cape Torment by Richard Donovan also is based on the case.
Mass murder
Mass murder is the act of murdering a large number of people , typically at the same time or over a relatively short period of time. According to the FBI, mass murder is defined as four or more murders occurring during a particular event with no cooling-off period between the murders...
carried out by the bombing of an airliner
Airliner
An airliner is a large fixed-wing aircraft for transporting passengers and cargo. Such aircraft are operated by airlines. Although the definition of an airliner can vary from country to country, an airliner is typically defined as an aircraft intended for carrying multiple passengers in commercial...
. The 13th and last woman to be hanged
Hanging
Hanging is the lethal suspension of a person by a ligature. The Oxford English Dictionary states that hanging in this sense is "specifically to put to death by suspension by the neck", though it formerly also referred to crucifixion and death by impalement in which the body would remain...
in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, he was executed
Capital punishment
Capital punishment, the death penalty, or execution is the sentence of death upon a person by the state as a punishment for an offence. Crimes that can result in a death penalty are known as capital crimes or capital offences. The term capital originates from the Latin capitalis, literally...
on January 9, 1953 in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
.
The Plot to Bomb Canadian Pacific Flight 108
Self-described jeweller and watchmakerWatchmaker
A watchmaker is an artisan who makes and repairs watches. Since virtually all watches are now factory made, most modern watchmakers solely repair watches. However, originally they were master craftsmen who built watches, including all their parts, by hand...
Albert Guay – although at his trial it was suggested that he was actually a watch and jewellery salesman – was having an extramarital affair with 19-year-old waitress Marie-Ange Robitaille. Marguerite Pitre helped to arrange liaisons between them. Guay decided to murder his wife, the former Rita Morel; after he considered poisoning her, he finally decided to kill her by bombing an airliner on which she was embarked as a passenger. He asked Pitres brother, clockmaker Généreux Ruest, to manufacture a bomb using dynamite
Dynamite
Dynamite is an explosive material based on nitroglycerin, initially using diatomaceous earth , or another absorbent substance such as powdered shells, clay, sawdust, or wood pulp. Dynamites using organic materials such as sawdust are less stable and such use has been generally discontinued...
, batteries
Battery (electricity)
An electrical battery is one or more electrochemical cells that convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy. Since the invention of the first battery in 1800 by Alessandro Volta and especially since the technically improved Daniell cell in 1836, batteries have become a common power...
, and an alarm clock
Alarm clock
An alarm clock is a clock that is designed to make a loud sound at a specific time. The primary use of these clocks is to awaken people from their night's sleep or short naps; they are sometimes used for other reminders as well. To stop the sound, a button or handle on the clock is pressed; but...
. Pitre purchased the dynamite at a hardware store
Hardware store
Hardware stores, sometimes known as DIY stores, sell household hardware including: fasteners, hand tools, power tools, keys, locks, hinges, chains, plumbing supplies, electrical supplies, cleaning products, housewares, tools, utensils, paint, and lawn and garden products directly to consumers for...
, claiming it was to be used to clear a field.
On September 9, 1949, Rita Guay was scheduled to board Canadian Pacific Air Lines Flight 108, a Douglas DC-3
Douglas DC-3
The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
aircraft, at L'Ancienne-Lorette, a suburb of Quebec City
Quebec City
Quebec , also Québec, Quebec City or Québec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about to the southwest...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, where it made a scheduled stopover during a flight from Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
to Baie-Comeau. On the day of the flight, Albert Guay purchased a $CAD
Canadian dollar
The Canadian dollar is the currency of Canada. As of 2007, the Canadian dollar is the 7th most traded currency in the world. It is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or C$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
10,000 insurance policy on his wife, which he would attempt to collect three days later. Pitre delivered the package containing the bomb to the plane, supposedly for mail delivery, Albert secreted it in Ritas luggage, and Rita boarded the plane for the flight to Baie-Comeau, unaware of the danger.
The flight was delayed five minutes at takeoff; this apparently thwarted Guays desire to have the explosion take place over the Saint Lawrence River
Saint Lawrence River
The Saint Lawrence is a large river flowing approximately from southwest to northeast in the middle latitudes of North America, connecting the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. It is the primary drainage conveyor of the Great Lakes Basin...
, which would have made forensic examination of the crash impossible with the technology then available to forensic scientists. The bomb instead exploded over Cap Tourmente
Cap Tourmente
The Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area is a National Wildlife Area located on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River in the Charlevoix region of Quebec established on 28 April 1978. It is critical habitat for the Greater Snow Goose during migration. Flocks of tens of thousands of these birds...
near Sault-au-Cochon
Sault-au-Cochon, Quebec
Sault-au-Cochon is an unorganized territory in the Capitale-Nationale region of Quebec, Canada, in the La Côte-de-Beaupré Regional County Municipality...
in the Charlevoix
Charlevoix
The Charlevoix region, located in Quebec, includes parts of the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River and the Laurentian Mountains region of the Canadian Shield...
region of Quebec, causing the plane to crash and killing Rita Guay and all of the other 22 people on board.
Arrest and trial
Guay was arrested two weeks after the crash and put on trial in February 1950; he was convicted and sentenced to death by hangingHanging
Hanging is the lethal suspension of a person by a ligature. The Oxford English Dictionary states that hanging in this sense is "specifically to put to death by suspension by the neck", though it formerly also referred to crucifixion and death by impalement in which the body would remain...
, and was executed in Montreal on January 12, 1951.
After his conviction, Guay issued a statement, claiming that Ruest and Pitre had knowingly abetted his plans; it has been speculated that Guays motive in denouncing his accomplices was to buy time to delay his own execution, believing that he would be called to testify at their trials. As a result, Ruest was arrested on June 6, 1950, and Pitre on June 14, 1950. Ruest maintained his innocence, claiming that he thought the bomb was to be used to clear tree stumps from a field. He was tried, with Guay testifying against him, and convicted in November 1950; sentenced to death by hanging, and he was executed in Montreal on July 25, 1952.
Pitre attempted suicide, but failed. Her trial began on March 6, 1951. She, too, maintained her innocence, claiming that Albert Guay had told her that the package she was transporting on the day of the bombing contained a statue. Albert Guay already had been executed and therefore could not testify against her, but she was found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging.
Execution
Marguerite Pitre arrived at Bordeaux Jail in Montreal at midnight on January 8/9, 1953, accompanied by two nunNun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
s, ands climbed to the prisons third floor. After a few moments with her escorts, she entered the ante-room where the hangman
Hangman
Hangman may refer to:* Hangman, an executioner who carries out a death sentence by hanging* Hangman , a game of guessing a word or phrase one letter at a timeIn literature:* Hangman , an enemy of Batman...
was waiting for her. She walked to the gallows at 12:35 a.m. on January 9, 1953, and was pronounced dead 15 minutes later. Jail authorities said she displayed no fear and that "everything was normal."
Afermath
Newspapers across Canada carried accounts of the hanging, with The British Columbian at New WestminsterNew Westminster, British Columbia
New Westminster is an historically important city in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, Canada, and is a member municipality of the Greater Vancouver Regional District. It was founded as the capital of the Colony of British Columbia ....
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, reporting on January 9, 1953 under a large black heading "Madame Corbeau Goes to Gallows" that "Mrs. Marguerite Pitre, a 43-year-old Quebec City housewife who put a time-bomb aboard an airliner that later crashed and killed 23 persons, was hanged early today at Bordeaux jail as Canada closed the books on its most fantastic murder in history."
In addition to being involved in Canadas worst mass murder to that date. Pitre also holds the distinction of being the last woman executed in Canada.
The incident in fiction
The incident, subsequent trials and execution of Guay, Ruest, and Pitre was notorious in Quebec and served as the inspiration for Le Crime d'Ovide Plouffe, a 1982 novel by Roger LemelinRoger Lemelin
Roger Lemelin, was a Quebec novelist, television writer and essayist.-Biography:Lemelin was born in Quebec City. From 1944 to 1952, he was a Canadian correspondent for the American magazines Time and Life and, from 1972 to 1981, chief executive officer and editor of La Presse.In 1980 he was made...
and 1984 film of the same name by Denys Arcand
Denys Arcand
Georges-Henri Denys Arcand, is a Canadian film director, screenwriter and producer. He has won an Academy Award for Best Foreign Film in 2004 for The Barbarian Invasions...
. In 1949, Lemelin had been a friend and neighbour of Guay, as well as being the Quebec correspondent for Time
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
magazine.
The novel Cape Torment by Richard Donovan also is based on the case.
See also
- Air safetyAir safetyAir safety is a term encompassing the theory, investigation and categorization of flight failures, and the prevention of such failures through regulation, education and training. It can also be applied in the context of campaigns that inform the public as to the safety of air travel.-United...
- Albert Guay
- Capital punishment in CanadaCapital punishment in CanadaCapital punishment in Canada dates back to 1749. Before Canada eliminated the death penalty for murder on July 14, 1976, 1,481 people were sentenced to death, with 710 executed. Of those executed, 697 were men and 13 were women. The only method used in Canada for capital punishment in nonmilitary...
- Jack Gilbert GrahamJack Gilbert GrahamJohn "Jack" Gilbert Graham was a mass murderer who killed 44 people by planting a dynamite bomb in his mother's suitcase that was subsequently loaded aboard United Airlines Flight 629.-Crime:...