MONTREAL - A journalist from England is testifying today at Luka Rocco Magnotta's first-degree murder trial.
Alex West is a journalist for the Sun newspaper in London who interviewed Magnotta in December 2011 over allegations the accused posted videos of cat killings.
A recording of the roughly 30-minute exchange between Magnotta and West was heard in court today.
West's testimony is key as the Crown has previously told the jury it will try to prove Magnotta was planning a murder up to six months in advance. Magnotta is charged with first-degree murder in Jun Lin's slaying and dismemberment in May 2012.
Two days after the interview, West and his employer received an email from Magnotta suggesting he was intending to kill a human and film the event in the near future.
The email was written under the name John Kilbride, but it referenced a meeting with West, leading the paper to believe it was Magnotta who'd authored it.
West says the paper alerted the police about the email.
Magnotta has admitted the physical acts of which he's accused but has pleaded not guilty by way of mental disorder.
He faces four other charges: 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.
