Thursday, May 2, 2024
ADVT 
National

Toronto van attack suspect Minassian fantasized about mass murders: doctor

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 19 Nov, 2020 08:10 PM
  • Toronto van attack suspect Minassian fantasized about mass murders: doctor

A psychiatrist at the trial of the man behind Toronto's van attack says Alek Minassian had a long history of fantasizing about shooting other people.

Dr. Rebecca Chauhan, who was hired by the defence, says Minassian was particularly interested in school shootings and would methodically read about them when he was in high school.

Chauhan is being cross-examined by the Crown at the trial where Minassian has pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of first-degree murder and 16 of attempted murder.

The defence says Minassian should be found not criminally responsible — due to autism — for his actions on April 23, 2018.

Minassian has admitted in court to planning and carrying out the van attack and the only issue to be decided at trial is his state of mind at the time.

On Wednesday, Chauhan said Minassian's autism spectrum disorder left him vulnerable to the misogynistic ramblings of an American mass murderer.

MORE National ARTICLES

Vancouver approves climate emergency action plan

Vancouver approves climate emergency action plan
Green Coun. Pete Fry says in a social media post that council voted in favour of the plan Tuesday night.

Vancouver approves climate emergency action plan

New COVID peaks in B.C. with 717 cases, 11 deaths

New COVID peaks in B.C. with 717 cases, 11 deaths
A joint statement from Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix urges people to work together to stay small and stay local to help slow the spread of the illness.

New COVID peaks in B.C. with 717 cases, 11 deaths

Meng's border exam was necessary: officer

Meng's border exam was necessary: officer
Supt. Sanjit Dhillon says he would not have authorized the immediate execution of the provisional arrest warrant by the RCMP in the case because there were outstanding national security and criminality concerns about Meng.

Meng's border exam was necessary: officer

Canada seeing 'exceptionally low' levels of flu

Canada seeing 'exceptionally low' levels of flu
Many health experts feared that a fall wave of COVID-19 would not only be worse than the first wave in the spring, but it would come just as seasonal flu infections started to spread, making it impossible for hospitals to keep up.

Canada seeing 'exceptionally low' levels of flu

Charges laid against Surrey man found in possession of modified SKS rifle

Charges laid against Surrey man found in possession of modified SKS rifle
The man was held in custody and on November 8, 2020, 43-year-old Reginald Bitternose was charged with four offences related to the illegal possession of a firearm.

Charges laid against Surrey man found in possession of modified SKS rifle

Privacy bill includes fines for data misuse

Privacy bill includes fines for data misuse
The legislation tabled in the House of Commons on Tuesday is designed to flesh out the 10 principles of the federal digital charter and bring Canada's much-maligned privacy regime for businesses into the modern era.

Privacy bill includes fines for data misuse