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LONGUEUIL, Que. – (Canadian Press) - The ex-girlfriend of poker champion Jonathan Duhamel pleaded guilty Friday to three criminal charges in connection with his beating and robbery.
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Bianca Rojas-Latraverse, who dated the Montreal-area poker player, pleaded guilty to kidnapping, break and enter, and conspiracy to commit an armed robbery.
"She certainly participated in the idea of going to rob Jonathan Duhamel -- that's clear," Crown prosecutor Nancy Delorme said.
"She didn't actually enter into Mr. Duhamel's home but in the preparation, in the conception, her role is clear and that's why she admitted her guilt today."
Rojas-Latraverse will remain detained until sentencing arguments on Dec. 19.
The woman is one of five people charged in last December's attack.
Duhamel was beaten and robbed, not only of more than $100,000 stored in a safe but also of a number of prized personal possessions. He had won almost US$9 million in the 2010 World Series of Poker.
The 21-year-old Rojas-Latraverse smiled during her court appearance Friday. Her lawyer will ask for the court's compassion during the sentencing.
"My client is repentant," said defence lawyer Sarah Desabrais.
"She did this (pleaded guilty) for the right reasons... It's really about clearing her conscience and moving on to other things, putting this behind her as quickly as possible and starting anew. At 21 years old, she's still young."
The prosecution appears determined to see her punished.
Delorme did not reveal what penalty she will seek but made it clear she will demand more than a slap on the wrist for Rojas-Latraverse, who has already spent nine months in jail.
"A crime like this obviously needs to be punished with a severe prison sentence. There's no debating that," the prosecutor said.
