Thursday, January 1, 2026
ADVT 
National

Evidence completed at Luka Rocco Magnotta's first-degree murder trial

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 04 Dec, 2014 10:24 AM
  • Evidence completed at Luka Rocco Magnotta's first-degree murder trial

MONTREAL — The jury in the first-degree murder trial of Luka Rocco Magnotta has finished hearing the evidence.

The case has been adjourned until next Wednesday, when the defence and Crown will give their closing arguments, followed by the judge's instructions to the jury.

Quebec Superior Court Justice Guy Cournoyer told jurors today they'll likely be sequestered as of next Friday.

Magnotta has pleaded not guilty by way of mental disorder to premeditated murder and four other charges related to the slaying and dismemberment of Jun Lin in May 2012.

The trial has sat for 40 days and heard from 66 witnesses, including some more than once.

The final witnesses today were defence expert witnesses who'd previously appeared and were recalled to reply to testimony from the Crown expert.

Defence experts have said they believe Magnotta was psychotic, had been untreated for schizophrenia for at least two years and was unable to tell right from wrong when he killed Lin.

The Crown argues the crime was planned and deliberate.

A psychiatrist for the Crown testified he has doubts about Magnotta's schizophrenia diagnosis in 2001, but says even if it is accurate, there's nothing to indicate he was not in touch with reality the night of the killing.

Magnotta is charged with first-degree murder; criminally harassing Prime Minister Stephen Harper and other members of Parliament; mailing obscene and indecent material; committing an indignity to a body; and publishing obscene materials.

MORE National ARTICLES

Man who helped guide Ralph Klein's political career dead after brief illness

Man who helped guide Ralph Klein's political career dead after brief illness
CALGARY - Rod Love, the man who worked for many years behind the scenes for former Calgary mayor and Alberta premier Ralph Klein, has died.

Man who helped guide Ralph Klein's political career dead after brief illness

'What is the value of human life?' Crown says at sentencing for Justin Bourque

'What is the value of human life?' Crown says at sentencing for Justin Bourque
MONCTON, N.B. - Justin Bourque targeted police officers because of "the badge they wore" when he shot three RCMP officers dead and wounded two others in Moncton, N.B., the Crown said as a sentencing hearing got underway Monday.

'What is the value of human life?' Crown says at sentencing for Justin Bourque

Premier running: Albertans head to polls Monday in four byelections

Premier running: Albertans head to polls Monday in four byelections
EDMONTON - Voters in four Alberta ridings go to the polls today in what opposition politicians call a referendum on the Progressive Conservative government.

Premier running: Albertans head to polls Monday in four byelections

Lawyer for Manitoba judge facing dismissal over nude photos wants case tossed

Lawyer for Manitoba judge facing dismissal over nude photos wants case tossed
WINNIPEG - A lawyer for a senior Manitoba judge facing removal over nude photographs of her posted on the Internet says the case should be thrown out because it revictimizes the victim.

Lawyer for Manitoba judge facing dismissal over nude photos wants case tossed

White-nose syndrome threatening bats in Eastern Canada, moving west: experts

White-nose syndrome threatening bats in Eastern Canada, moving west: experts
VANCOUVER - Don't be afraid of bats this Halloween. Be afraid for them, warn biologists tracking a disease that has nearly wiped out the airborne mammals in Eastern Canada.

White-nose syndrome threatening bats in Eastern Canada, moving west: experts

Analysis finds missing, late rail accident reports for 3 Canadian carriers: TSB

Analysis finds missing, late rail accident reports for 3 Canadian carriers: TSB
OTTAWA - The Transportation Safety Board says the country's two largest railways and the regional carrier responsible for the Lac-Megantic fire failed to meet their obligations for filing accident information.

Analysis finds missing, late rail accident reports for 3 Canadian carriers: TSB