Charges Dropped in Real Estate Agent’s Murder Case

A man who was originally charged with first-degree murder for the killing of Hamilton real estate agent Girogio Barresi has now pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of mischief.

Sorossa Moude, acting on behalf of a criminal group, used GPS tracking devices on Barresi’s vehicles in the months leading up to the shooting incident that occurred in his Stoney Creek driveway in March 2020, an Ontario court heard on Feb. 13.

Moude was unaware that the organization intended to track Barresi for the purpose of killing him, said assistant Crown attorney Imran Shaikh.

The 29-year-old Moude from Toronto pleaded guilty to mischief endangering life related to his involvement with a criminal organization, resulting in the withdrawal of the murder charge.

The Crown explained that pursuing the murder charge would present significant challenges due to its reliance on “circumstantial evidence” which could prove risky at trial.

Barresi’s partner, Sonia, expressed her frustration in court, stating that she felt “the system had failed to deliver true justice.”

Sonia is shown here with Barresi before his death. She told the court last week he was an ‘incredibly devoted father, a loving and supportive husband and my best friend for 27 years.’ (Hamilton Police/Youtube)

In her victim impact statement, she addressed Moude directly.

“You knew exactly what you were doing and the consequences it would bring, and yet you chose to act with cruelty and complete disregard for human life.. Compassion should not be extended to someone who has shown none.”

This past Thursday, Ontario Justice Jason Little sentenced Moude to 6½ years behind bars as recommended by both sides of the legal proceedings.

With pretrial custody considered, Moude has only 2½ years remaining on his sentence.

“I view the sentence as low, but that isn’t enough to reject it,” said Little.

Shooter remains unidentified

Initially, Hamilton police charged both Moude and Jamal Chemin with first-degree murder concerning Barresi’s death; however, investigators have stated that Barresi wasn’t involved in organized crime.

The Crown eventually dropped Chemin’s murder charge as well; thus no one has been held accountable for Barresi’s shooting death.

Chemin, now 42 years old, instead admitted guilt for lesser charges including knowingly participating in activities of a criminal organization along with two counts of possessing prohibited loaded firearms back in April 2024.

He’s been ordered not to contact numerous individuals known for their connections with organized crime. This list includes Martino Caputo who is currently serving a life sentence for killing John Raposo during daylight hours in 2017.

Family saw father die; court hears

A week ago in court, Roberto Bucciarelli spoke about how Barresi was returning home after running errands on a chilly March evening without realizing he was being tracked.

After parking his truck and stepping out into his driveway, an unidentified person emerged from nearby shrubs outside Barresi’s house.

“The scumbag.. coward fired once and missed; piercing through garage door,” Bucciarelli recounted before the court.

The shooter fired again hitting Barresi first in his shoulder then fatally wounding him in his chest which caused him to fall down according to Bucciarelli’s testimony. The final shot struck Barresi directly “execution style” into his head.”

The assailant then fled scene using a vehicle.”

Sonia along with their three children didn’t know what had taken place until they came out seeing Barresi bleeding profusely.” He passed away shortly before paramedics arrived.”

“I carry images, sounds, and smells I can never erase from my traumatic memories,” Sonia stated.” Sorossa Moude – you destroyed our family. I do not forgive you. I never will.”

Moude did not have any previous criminal record but got involved within criminal organizations seeking financial gain according Judge Little during sentencing remarks.
“He noted there had been no authentic display remorse from Moude despite deeply emotional statements made by both Barresis partner & close friends”.

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