Defence to begin closing arguments at Toronto van attack trial

The defence is set to give its closing arguments Thursday at the trial for the man who killed 10 people in Toronto’s van attack.

By THE CANADIAN PRESS AND NEWS STAFF

Warning: Details of the trial are graphic in nature, discretion is advised


The defence is set to give its closing arguments Thursday at the trial for the man who killed 10 people in Toronto’s van attack.

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

CityNews reporter Adrian Ghobrial is covering the trial, follow his tweets below:

The defence argues Minassian is not criminally responsible for his actions on April 23, 2018, due to autism spectrum disorder.

The prosecution argues the 28-year-old from Richmond Hill, Ont., knew what he was doing was wrong.

Minassian has admitted to planning and carrying out the attack.

The only issue at trial is his state of mind at the time of the killings.


RELATED: What would a not criminally responsible verdict mean for Toronto van attacker’s future?


At the judge-only trial, Justice Anne Molloy heard testimony nearly exclusively from forensic psychologists and psychiatrists. The experts had interviewed Minassian and administered tests to understand his state of mind.

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