SAINT-JEROME, Que. — Guy Turcotte's first-degree murder trial has been put on hold for a few hours while the defence prepares to cross-examine the Crown's final rebuttal witness.
The brief delay was granted by Quebec Superior Court Justice Andre Vincent today to allow the defence to consult documents they received Wednesday.
Toxicologist Martin Laliberte is expected to be cross-examined later today.
He testified Wednesday that Turcotte would have only consumed windshield washer fluid about an hour before his arrest and suggested methanol, a toxic ingredient found in washer fluid, has minimal impact on the brain.
Turcotte has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in the stabbing deaths of his son, Olivier, 5, and his daughter Anne-Sophie, 3.
The ex-doctor has admitted to causing their deaths, but his lawyers argue the 43-year-old should be found not criminally responsible by way of mental disorder.
The accused testified he drank the fluid on Feb. 20, 2009 to take his own life and decided to also kill his two young children to spare them the pain of finding his body the next day.
