Close X
Friday, November 1, 2024
ADVT 
National

Minassian's psychiatrist interview videos sealed

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 20 Nov, 2020 09:54 PM
  • Minassian's psychiatrist interview videos sealed

The judge overseeing the van attack trial has granted a request to seal all recordings of interviews the accused had with an American psychiatrist who had warned the videos could incite more violence if made public.

While the audio and video of Alek Minassian's interviews with Dr. Alexander Westphal will not be released publicly, Justice Anne Molloy has allowed journalists to view the recordings when they're presented in court.

Westphal had said he would not testify if the judge refused to seal the recordings of his interviews with Minassian, who has pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of first-degree murder and 16 counts of attempted murder.

Molloy says she wasn't happy to give into the demands of the American doctor, but notes that without his testimony Minassian would not get a fair trial.

A group of media organizations including The Canadian Press fought the application, arguing courts are inherently open and proceedings should not be held in secret.

The defence argues Minassian should be found not criminally responsible for his actions on April 23, 2018, due to autism spectrum disorder.

Minassian's state of mind will be the sole issue at trial.

His lawyer, Boris Bytensky, told court that Westphal will be the only expert to testify that Minassian is not criminally responsible for his actions that day.

Molloy, who is presiding over the case without a jury, said what complicated matters is that Westphal is an American and she has no way to compel him to testify in a Canadian court.

The federal government could intervene but Molloy said a cross-border process could take years.

"If he was here, there would be no problem. I would not for a moment tolerate it," the judge said. "That doctor would be under arrest before he could blink."

The judge was left to choose between Minassian's rights to a fair trial versus the freedom of the press, which is enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

"Dr. Westphal has refused to participate knowing that there’s nothing I can about it if he does not, and knowing that he is all there is in terms of a defence for Mr. Minassian," Molloy said.

Bytensky told court his client was inspired by Elliot Rodger, an American who went on a rampage in Isla Vista, Calif., in May 2014, killing six people and injuring 14 others before killing himself.

Rodger's "manifesto" and his video before the murders focused on his hatred towards women and has found an audience in the bowels of the internet where he is treated as the forefather of so-called "incels," men who are involuntarily celibate.

Bytensky told court he wanted the videos sealed because it would give in to Minassian's desire for notoriety. He said his client was heavily influenced and inspired by Rodger's "manifesto" and video.

The lawyer also said every single expert will testify at trial that Minassian was inspired to kill people, in part, for notoriety.

Allowing the videos to be released to the public would give Minassian exactly what he wants, argued Bytensky.

MORE National ARTICLES

Wilkins to leave Bank of Canada in December

Wilkins to leave Bank of Canada in December
The central bank says Carolyn Wilkins will leave her job as senior deputy governor on Dec. 9, about five months before her seven-year term ends in May, and on the same day the bank makes it final rate announcement for 2020.

Wilkins to leave Bank of Canada in December

Ottawa finalizes methane deal with three provinces

Ottawa finalizes methane deal with three provinces
Federal Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says proposals by Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia will achieve the same methane cuts as rules suggested by Ottawa.

Ottawa finalizes methane deal with three provinces

Revenue down at casinos after arrests: inquiry

Revenue down at casinos after arrests: inquiry
Daryl Tottenham, manager of anti-money laundering programs for the B.C. Lottery Corp., testified Thursday that high-end players weren't the only ones who stayed away for two to three weeks.

Revenue down at casinos after arrests: inquiry

TSB report finds ships may be outgrowing ports

TSB report finds ships may be outgrowing ports
The safety board issues the caution in its report into a January 2019 incident where the container vessel Ever Summit hit a crane while being piloted into the Vanterm terminal in the Port of Vancouver.

TSB report finds ships may be outgrowing ports

South Asian yoga studio owner and conspiracy theorist breaks quarantine act

South Asian yoga studio owner and conspiracy theorist breaks quarantine act
Mak Parhar owner of Bikram Yoga in Delta where hot yoga classes are conducted was in the news in the Spring time for spreading misinformation about COVID19 suggesting that the virus cannot survive in hot temperatures. 

South Asian yoga studio owner and conspiracy theorist breaks quarantine act

Vancouver council delays decision on Olympic bid

Vancouver council delays decision on Olympic bid
In a message posted on social media, Coun. Melissa De Genova says she successfully delayed her motion until sometime in March 2021.

Vancouver council delays decision on Olympic bid