Canada - Numerous pedestrians struck by van near Yonge and Finch, Toronto, Apr 2018 *guilty*

[dotr]

MANDEL: Mass killer Alek Minassian says he's "99% irredeemable" | Toronto Sun
''Alek Minassian is not baffled. He’s not unresponsive. He’s not giving only concrete answers.

On the videotaped interview played for his virtual trial Thursday, the confessed mass killer is nothing like the man described by the American psychiatrist retained by the defence. Minassian is animated, his hands gesturing, his answers thoughtful as he explains to Dr. Alexander Westphal why he’s taken up reading the bible every day.''

“It’s not necessarily from a religion purpose,” he explains. “It’s more like, for the situation I’m in, it’s to give me hope.”

''Minassian recites a bible verse for Westphal and explains its meaning.

“It gives you the sense that you’re not alone,” he says. “There are people that still care about you and they’re still thinking about you every day.”

''But what about spiritual redemption for his crimes, the psychiatrist asked.

“Realistically-speaking,” Minassian admitted, “I think it would be considered probably extremely irredeemable, like 99% chance irredeemable, but nevertheless I’m still reading the bible every day.”

 

[dotr]

Crown at Toronto van attack trial says defence witness exaggerated Minassian's 'deficits' in report - CityNews Toronto
''On Friday, Callaghan delved into Minassian’s hours-long police interrogation, using portions of it to try and discredit Westphal’s findings.

Callaghan said the fact that Minassian lied during the interrogation in a bid to protect his father showed that he can indeed show empathy.

On the day of the attack, Minassian’s father, Vahe “Vic” Minassian, earlier testified that he gave his son a ride, thinking he was meeting a friend at a Chapters in Woodbridge.

But during his interrogation Minassian said he walked and took public transit on his way to pick up the rental van, fearful of implicating his dad.

“Do you agree that Minassian’s lying about his father showed he has perspective and could show empathy?” Callaghan asked.

“I don’t think it required much sophistication in this context,” Westphal answered.

Callaghan also argued that the fact Minassian knew of his right to remain silent, and requested a lawyer, showed his thought process was not naive, but in fact rather sophisticated.

“I’m going to suggest that Mr. Minassian demonstrated himself to be quite thoughtful in this interview,” Callaghan argued, adding that Minassian’s “deficits in communication and social skills in life are not nearly as severe as you portray in your report.”

 

[dotr]

Alek Minassian acted more like a school shooter than someone with autism, Crown psychologist testifies at van attack trial
By Alyshah Hasham Dec. 8, 2020

''Alek Minassian’s fantasies of mass killing and lack of emotion about his victims have more in common with those of a typical school shooter than someone with autism spectrum disorder, said a forensic psychologist testifying for the Crown.

Dr. Percy Wright said there are other factors than Minassian’s high-functioning autism — which he viewed as less severe than the defence’s key expert witness — which could account for Minassian renting a van and running down pedestrians, killing 10 people and injuring 16, on Yonge Street on April 23, 2018.''

Alek Minassian had anger issues, knew right from wrong, murder trial hears
''Wright told the court, which is being held by videoconference due to the pandemic, that Minassian is capable of moral reasoning and understands other people's thoughts and feelings.

He said he conducted a battery of psychological tests with Minassian. He said Minassian scored average-to-above average when compared to the general population - and much higher compared to those with autism spectrum disorder - on all the tests.

“He can think non-literally, can think outside the box and not as concrete as you would expect someone with autism spectrum disorder,” Wright said.

He said Minassian is very hard on himself.

“He is quite haunted by his sense that he has failed academically, struggled with procrastination and really is quite a harsh self-critic as opposed to a lot of individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

Minassian scored slightly above average for anger but was able to keep his anger hidden.''

 

[Jaanniss]

With there being no question about Minassian's guilt and only a matter of his consequences I'm eager to hear about where he will live ... there are 8 maximum security prisons in Ontario, 1 maximum security forensic hospital .... will it even be maximum security ?

Video
News Article

 

[dotr]

rbbm.
Minassian wanted to kill 100 people, but 'satisfied' with 10 deaths, court hears at van attack trial - CityNews Toronto
''A psychologist retained by the prosecution says the man who killed 10 pedestrians in Toronto’s van attack wanted to kill 100 people.

Dr. Percy Wright says Alek Minassian told him more than a year after the 2018 attack that he was satisfied with his “kill count” but had wanted to take more lives.

Minassian has pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of first-degree murder and 16 counts of attempted murder.

The defence argues that the 28-year-old from Richmond Hill, Ont., should be held not criminally responsible for his actions due to autism spectrum disorder.


Minassian’s state of mind is the sole issue at trial as he has admitted to planning and carrying out the attack.


Wright has testified that Minassian had anger issues and knew right from wrong.''

 

[dotr]

rbbm.
MANDEL: Psychiatrist says Minassian a mass murderer who happens to have autism | Toronto Sun
''It’s hard to imagine how anyone could be more calculated and cunning than Alek Minassian in planning and executing Toronto’s worst mass killing.

And he played us every step of the way.''

''He’s admitted the whole incel shtick was primarily a ploy to capture the most media attention. He pre-wrote his message launching his attack and purposely used a “catch phrase” including key words such as 4chan and Incel hero Elliot Rodger and posted it on Facebook — and not some fringe online forum — so he’d attain the most attention.''

“There’s nothing particular about mass murder being more appealing to individuals with autism spectrum disorder than to any other person,” Woodside testified.

“I would describe him as a mass murderer who happened to have ASD — rather than it was the ASD that made him commit mass murder.”

 

[nuff]

I know AM has a right to this trial, but what a huge waste of resources it is. Regardless of the outcome, he's never going to be released, whether he spends the rest of his life in a maximum security prison or a psychiatric facility. There is no possible rehabilitation for his disorder(s), in the (IMO unlikely) event of an NCR verdict.

 

[Jaanniss]

I know AM has a right to this trial, but what a huge waste of resources it is. Regardless of the outcome, he's never going to be released, whether he spends the rest of his life in a maximum security prison or a psychiatric facility. There is no possible rehabilitation for his disorder(s), in the (IMO unlikely) event of an NCR verdict.

Yes, many resources, no known rehab and I think our concerns that he ever be left without restrictive supervision are valid ....
Controversial van attack defence could change Canadian criminal law

 

[JDG]

Closing arguments for the Prosecution today, for the Defence yesterday.

Only issue is his state of mind, so it should be a quick decision by the judge. IMO, MOO etc

 

[dotr]

MANDEL: Will this be mass killer Alek Minassian's last Christmas behind bars? | Toronto Sun
rbbm.
''Minassian’s fate, including the slim but possible chance for his eventual freedom, rests now with Ontario Superior Court Justice Anne Molloy as she mulls over the last six weeks of testimony at Minassian’s “long and unprecedented” virtual trial.

She will deliver her verdict March 3, almost three years after Minassian drove his rental van down the sidewalks of Yonge St. on April 23, 2018.

“Essentially (this trial) has resolved into a single issue and that issue is complex. Complex in its facts and it’s complex in its law, so I’m going to need some time to consider this,” Molloy said.''

''If found NCR, he would come under supervision of the Ontario Review Board, which would be responsible for deciding whether he should be held in a psychiatric facility and under what conditions he could eventually be discharged.''

“An NCR verdict is hardly a get-out-of-jail free card and especially because of the current lack of ‘curability’ of autism.” Unlike someone with schizophrenia who could be discharged by the ORB once they’re on the proper medication, he said, there’s no treatment to correct a lack of empathy.''

 

[JDG]

Maybe not so quick.

 

[Satchie]

IMO, the judge can't give a hasty judgement, otherwise it will be successfully appealed on the basis that she didn't take into account the larger legal framework and particularly the human rights issues.

I'm reminded of the controversy about the notorious greyhound bus cannibal case. He was declared NCR because of (previously undiagnosed) schizophrenia, and then once he was stabilized on medication, he was released with no parole requirements whatever. He does not need to check in with anybody, even to confirm he's continuing on his medication, he is a completely free man. IIRC, some regulations were amended because public outrage around this, but I'm not current on the details.

In that particular case, NCR was indeed a "get out of jail free card". IMO there was no consideration whatever for the victim, or the trauma experienced by the victim's family, those who were on the bus or the first responders who attended the scene. The victim and his care professionals were very proud of him and we were all supposed to agree and congratulate him, completely ignoring the reality of what had happened and just call it an unfortunate lapse, ooops.

IMO, this is a very slippery slope. If NCR can be declared for autism, it can also be declared for paranoia, anxiety, depression, any number of widespread mental health troubles. "My client suffers from the mental illness of psychopathy, through no fault of his own he did not realize there was anything wrong with murdering his 12 victims ..." IMO this ruling, and all attempts to declare NCR by defense lawyers, is a very big deal.

 

[dotr]

Remembering this..
Cop killer haunts widow more than eight years after husband slain | Toronto Sun
''In 2013, Kachkar was found not criminally responsible (NCR) and acquitted of first-degree murder in the Jan. 11, 2011 slaying of Russell. The ORB holds hearings to review the detention and release conditions of people found not criminally responsible of crimes.

“You (Kachkar) decided that fate by killing my husband,” Christine Russell told Kachkar, 53. “And every year since I’ve been forced to face that man (Kachkar). I was never given a chance (for a full life).”

''Three psychiatrists testified at Kachkar’s trial and all agreed that Kachkar could not be held criminally responsible due to a mental disorder when he bolted from a homeless shelter in his bare feet on a freezing day, stole an idling snowplow and took a violent joyride through Toronto’s snowy streets, striking the young sergeant on Avenue Rd.''

 

[JDG]

The judge will be on YouTube starting at 10AM, Toronto time.

I do hope he is found guilty of mass murder. IMO, MOO

The link to the YouTube judgement is available on the star.ca

Over 1,000 people awaiting the judges decision.

 

[dotr]

Started streaming 19 minutes ago

 

[JDG]

GUILTY on ALL counts!!

Thank Heavens, common sense won out!!

Rot in jail Minassian.

ETA: Guilty of 10 counts of First Degree Murder and guilty of 16 counts of Attempted Murder.

 

[Tealgrove]

GUILTY on ALL counts!!

Thank Heavens, common sense won out!!

Rot in jail Minassian.

ETA: Guilty of 10 counts of First Degree Murder and guilty of 16 counts of Attempted Murder.

Yup - right decision. He knew what he was doing, planned it and knew it was wrong. He just didn't care.

 

[JDG]

680 News Radio

Justice Anne Malloy wanted the perp to be known during the proceeding as 'John Doe' due to the fact that he craved media attention and fame.

Right from the get go she was stripping him of his 'preferences', a foreshadowing of her decision to come.

Thankfully, she also admitted that Autism and criminality are NOT related. So much for that 'expert' who didnt even know the Canadian Law he was 'proving'. Hope he hangs his head in shame too.

John Doe pleaded with the cop to 'shoot me' and I am so glad that he was not shot and is looking at a very long period of incarceration.

Too bad hanging has been abolished, he's the perfect candidate IMO.

 

[dotr]

Out of respect for the many unidentified John Doe s out there, my preference is that he be called john doo do not think that can be altered now. imo.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Members of the autism community breathed a collective sigh of relief on Wednesday morning as the Toronto van attack trial ended in a guilty verdict — a decision that signals closure for what has been a long, gruelling trial for many autistic people and their allies.

In her decision, Justice Anne Molloy rejected the defence argument that Alek Minassian’s autism spectrum disorder (ASD) made him not criminally responsible for carrying out Toronto’s worst mass murder, killing 10 and injuring 16.

It was the first time in Canada anyone had used an autism diagnosis as the sole basis for a not criminally responsible defence — a claim activists had called “demeaning.”

‘This was never a case of autism causing mass murder’: Activists express relief over Toronto van attack guilty verdict