Usher brutally kills film buff on Jacques Cartier Bridge to grab purse full of cash

Trudel seen after arrest

   Roger Trudel, 33, was an usher at the Papineau Theatre near St. Joseph who got to know Angelina Bessette, 48, after she started coming often to see movies in 1948.
   Bessette, also known as Mrs. Sylvio Bessette, would often watch the same movies all day, staying from 3 p.m. until 11 p.m.
   She and staff became well acquainted as she'd frequently shuffle over from her home at 5242 Chambord.
   She moved slowly due to a deformed foot.
   Trudel noticed that Bessette would always carry about $800 in her purse, about $7,500 in today's money.
   She explained that about $200 of that cash belonged to her son.
    Trudel was cohabiting with Mrs. Antonio Fortier, 40 at the time and told her that he was going to meet Bessette to look after her money.
  Trudel left the home on Wed. 4 Dec. 1948 and returned the next morning with blood on his coat and pants.
   He showed his lover $650 and explained that he had brought Bessette on a Longueuil bus and had the driver stop on the bridge.
   The bus driver was curious why they would get off there and Trudel said they were going to meet his uncle on St. Helen's Island.
    Trudel was found battered and bleeding on the bridge about 300 yards from St. Helen's island.
    Trudel's lover disposed of his clothing by leaving them in a cardboard box as Notre Dame and St. Just.
   The radio reported that Bessette was in hospital after being found badly hurt on the Jacques Cartier Bridge.
   Trudel expressed relief that the woman hadn't died. He told his lover that he had only pushed her against the railing.
  The radio later reported that Bessette had died. "Good," Trudel said. "Now she won't be able to identify me."
   Bessette died of hemorrhages caused by blunt object and suffered fractured nose, two jaw fractures and five fractured ribs. Broken teeth had flown out and were found embedded in her hair.
   Police quickly tracked down Trudel's lover Fortier in St. Jerome. She was quick to tell all.
   Trudel was put in Montreal jail where he refused to eat or drink. He was then transferred to Bordeaux prison.
   In court on Dec. 8 Fortier recounted all the details. Trudel had tried but failed to toss the victim's body over the bridge. The railing was too high.
   Trudel was hanged 5 May 1950 at 12:42 a.m. at Bordeaux.
   He was 34.