Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

Crown psychiatrist suggests it's possible Magnotta was sane, aware during slaying

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 27 Nov, 2014 11:03 AM

    MONTREAL — A psychiatrist hired by the Crown cast doubt Wednesday on Luka Rocco Magnotta's defence that he was not criminally responsible the night he killed Jun Lin.

    Magnotta was sane and aware of his actions when he killed and dismembered Lin in May 2012, Dr. Gilles Chamberland testified.

    Chamberland, the Crown's main rebuttal witness, consulted expert reports prepared for the defence that said the accused was psychotic and not able to tell right from wrong

    He told Magnotta's first-degree murder trial there was enough in the reports to show the accused knew what he was doing.

    The native of Scarborough, Ont., has admitted to killing the Chinese engineering student, but has pleaded not guilty by way of mental disorder.

    Chamberland has previously said Magnotta refused to meet him for the prosecution report, which meant he couldn't say his own findings were definitive.

    "It still seems very possible that the sane part of the gentleman, which was in touch with reality at the time of the acts, was amply sufficient to enable him to appreciate the nature of his acts and to know those actions were wrong," he wrote in his nine-page report.

    Chamberland also said a person with mental disorder does not necessarily meet the criteria for a mental disorder defence outlined in Sec. 16 of the Criminal Code.

    He also expressed doubt as to whether Magnotta actually suffered from schizophrenia.

    "For me, there's nothing conclusive," Chamberland testified, adding such a diagnosis requires a long observation. He said he believes many of his previous hospitalizations for psychosis were caused by drug use — notably cocaine.

    During Magnotta's initial hospital visit in April 2001, doctors were not sure what they were dealing with and no firm diagnosis had been made. They thought Magnotta might be faking symptoms but were unsure why.

    Two months later, as he applied for an Ontario government welfare supplement, Magnotta submitted a handwritten form describing specific symptoms related to schizophrenia such as hearing voices.

    And in August 2001, while hospitalized for a drug overdose, the schizophrenia diagnosis appeared. In March 2002 he was diagnosed as having "chronic schizophrenia."

    "I'm not saying Mr. Magnotta wasn't suffering, but Mr. Magnotta also said he was consuming cocaine at the time, which could clearly explain his symptoms," Chamberland said.

    Magnotta himself told a Montreal psychiatrist he saw in April 2012 that many of his previous hospitalizations had been for episodes triggered by cocaine use. That psychiatrist had also ruled out schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

    Chamberland said one of the medical dossiers even mentions that Magnotta's immediate family raised concerns he was mimicking symptoms exhibited by his father, who has schizophrenia and is estranged from the family. An aunt suggested it was just his way of seeking attention.

    The Crown expert also said Magnotta's obsession with his physical appearance and looks flies against the usual symptoms exhibited by schizophrenic patients, who tend to neglect their appearance.

    Chamberland returns to the stand Thursday.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Mounties in Okanagan Investigate Theft Of 22 Guns Stolen From A Shed

    Mounties in Okanagan Investigate Theft Of 22 Guns Stolen From A Shed
    SPALLUMCHEEN, B.C. — Police are trying to track down suspects after 22 firearms were stolen from a shed in Spallumcheen, north of Vernon, B.C.

    Mounties in Okanagan Investigate Theft Of 22 Guns Stolen From A Shed

    Premiers Christy Clark, Jim Prentice Set Tone For Warm Relations After 'Frosty' Redford Era

    Premiers Christy Clark, Jim Prentice Set Tone For Warm Relations After 'Frosty' Redford Era
    VANCOUVER — Alberta Premier Jim Prentice and British Columbia's  have promised warmer relations after Clark's "frosty" dealings with former premier Alison Redford.

    Premiers Christy Clark, Jim Prentice Set Tone For Warm Relations After 'Frosty' Redford Era

    Debris Clearing Begins After Creeks Flood Streets, Homes In Vancouver's North Shore

    Debris Clearing Begins After Creeks Flood Streets, Homes In Vancouver's North Shore
    VANCOUVER — Homeowners in Vancouver's North Shore were assessing the damage after creeks overflowed and flooded streets and houses overnight.

    Debris Clearing Begins After Creeks Flood Streets, Homes In Vancouver's North Shore

    French President Francois Hollande continues trip in Quebec City

    French President Francois Hollande continues trip in Quebec City
    QUEBEC — French President Francois Hollande is continuing his trip to Canada with visits today to Quebec City and Montreal.

    French President Francois Hollande continues trip in Quebec City

    Safety minister cites 'explosive cocktail' of ideology, addiction, mental illness

    Safety minister cites 'explosive cocktail' of ideology, addiction, mental illness
    OTTAWA — The federal public safety minister suggests an explosive cocktail of mental health problems, drug addiction and extremist ideology prompted the recent killing of a soldier in Ottawa.

    Safety minister cites 'explosive cocktail' of ideology, addiction, mental illness

    RCMP say missing Japanese tourist planned to trek into bush and disappear

    RCMP say missing Japanese tourist planned to trek into bush and disappear
    YELLOWKNIFE — RCMP in Yellowknife say a missing Japanese tourist is presumed dead.

    RCMP say missing Japanese tourist planned to trek into bush and disappear