Friday, December 26, 2025
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

In wake of interviews, NDP now embracing neutral probe of misconduct complaints

In wake of interviews, NDP now embracing neutral probe of misconduct complaints
OTTAWA — The NDP is embracing the idea of a neutral third-party investigation of misconduct complaints against two Liberal MPs, now that one New Democrat complainant has said she'd be willing to participate.

In wake of interviews, NDP now embracing neutral probe of misconduct complaints

Pardon backlog denies social reintegration to thousands of former offenders

Pardon backlog denies social reintegration to thousands of former offenders
OTTAWA — Almost 7,000 outstanding pardon applications are in limbo as the Parole Board of Canada struggles to clear a backlog created when the Conservative government changed the rules in 2010.

Pardon backlog denies social reintegration to thousands of former offenders

Tory MP retracts advice to wear recording devices to guard against harassment allegations

Tory MP retracts advice to wear recording devices to guard against harassment allegations
OTTAWA — A Conservative backbencher who issued a bizarre warning to colleagues against "consorting without protection" in the wake of Parliament Hill misconduct revelations retracted his statement late Wednesday.

Tory MP retracts advice to wear recording devices to guard against harassment allegations

Jason Kenney: Massive Social Security Backlog 'Unacceptable'

Jason Kenney: Massive Social Security Backlog 'Unacceptable'
OTTAWA - Employment Minister Jason Kenney says the massive backlog plaguing the government's social security tribunal is unacceptably large.

Jason Kenney: Massive Social Security Backlog 'Unacceptable'

B.C. And Saskatchewan Open Up Liquor Markets

B.C. And Saskatchewan Open Up Liquor Markets
REGINA - British Columbia's liquor market could be opening to Saskatchewan consumers under proposed legislation that aims to eliminate inter-provincial trade barriers.

B.C. And Saskatchewan Open Up Liquor Markets

Canadian Forces medical team to be deployed to Ebola-plagued Sierra Leone

Canadian Forces medical team to be deployed to Ebola-plagued Sierra Leone
OTTAWA — Canada is sending a team of military medical specialists to Sierra Leone to help combat the spread of Ebola in that country.

Canadian Forces medical team to be deployed to Ebola-plagued Sierra Leone