MONTREAL – Remy Couture, the Quebec special effects artists charged with corrupting morals, was found not guilty Saturday.

The jury acquitted Couture of all three charges: Possession, production and distribution of obscene materials.

Montreal police arrested Couture, 35, in 2009, after a complaint to the international police agency, Interpol, about content on his website.

Among other gory and violent imagery, the site contained a short film that depicted a woman being mutilated and raped.

The Crown argued Couture’s work was dangerous for society because it could incite people to act violently.

Couture’s defense team argued that his work was art and it pushed the limits of what was acceptable.
Couture told reporters Saturday at the Montreal courthouse that he was “relieved” after hearing the verdict.

“It’s the end of a nightmare that lasted three years,” he said. “I want to thank the jury and all those who supported me.”