SAINT-JEROME, Que. — A defence witness has told Guy Turcotte's murder trial that the concentration of methanol in his blood was the equivalent of between three and five beers for an average-sized man.
Toxicologist Anne-Marie Faucher had previously testified she found a potentially fatal dose of methanol in Turcotte's system the day after the February 2009 slayings of Olivier, 5, and Anne-Sophie, 3.
Turcotte has pleaded not guilty to two charges of first-degree murder but has admitted to causing the children's deaths.
His lawyers are arguing he should be found not criminally responsible by way of mental disorder.
The accused testified during three days this week, saying he was determined to die and consumed windshield washer fluid — which contains methanol — but could only remember the night of the slayings in "flashes."
Under cross-examination by the Crown today, Faucher said she estimates someone who has consumed that much beer is conscious, coherent, able to have discussions and negotiate.
Faucher says such a person "is quite capable of doing what he has to do."
Evidence presented thus far has not established the quantity of washer fluid he consumed.
Faucher says the dose she found would have been fatal had he not been given medical attention.
