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

Tories look to improve fortunes as Newfoundlanders vote in two byelections

Tories look to improve fortunes as Newfoundlanders vote in two byelections
ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Newfoundland and Labrador's governing Progressive Conservatives will try to improve their fortunes today in a pair of byelections after losing the last five.

Tories look to improve fortunes as Newfoundlanders vote in two byelections

Witness tells murder trial he didn't see crew member use fishing gaff on victim

Witness tells murder trial he didn't see crew member use fishing gaff on victim
PORT HAWKESBURY, N.S. — A key witness at the trial of a lobster fisherman accused of killing another fisherman in Nova Scotia says he did not actually see the accused use a fishing gaff to drag the victim out to sea.

Witness tells murder trial he didn't see crew member use fishing gaff on victim

Father praises outlet for publishing name of girl at centre of child porn case

Father praises outlet for publishing name of girl at centre of child porn case
HALIFAX — Police have launched an investigation into a possible breach of a publication ban after a major news outlet in Halifax published the name of a teenage girl at the centre of a high-profile child pornography case.

Father praises outlet for publishing name of girl at centre of child porn case

P.E.I.'s next Liberal leader, premier to be chosen at February convention

P.E.I.'s next Liberal leader, premier to be chosen at February convention
CHARLOTTETOWN — Prince Edward Island's governing Liberals will choose a new leader and the province's next premier in February.

P.E.I.'s next Liberal leader, premier to be chosen at February convention

No decision on new trial for Calgary reservist in fatal training accident

No decision on new trial for Calgary reservist in fatal training accident
CALGARY — The Canadian Forces says it will not challenge a court ruling that overturned a soldier's conviction in a fatal training accident in Afghanistan.

No decision on new trial for Calgary reservist in fatal training accident

Manitoba Appeal Court to review 1987 murder conviction of Frank Ostrowski

Manitoba Appeal Court to review 1987 murder conviction of Frank Ostrowski
WINNIPEG — A former hair stylist turned drug dealer who spent 23 years in prison for murder has moved one step closer to possibly clearing his name.

Manitoba Appeal Court to review 1987 murder conviction of Frank Ostrowski