Crown begins cross-examination of accused murderer Richard Henry Bain

MONTREAL — The Crown began its cross-examination of accused murderer Richard Henry Bain on Friday by referring to psychiatric reports in which he reportedly said he wanted to kill as many Quebec separatists as possible.

Prosecutor Dennis Galiatsatos cited reports from meetings Bain had with a psychiatrist on Sept. 18 and Nov. 9, 2012.

Bain, 65, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of lighting technician Denis Blanchette outside the Metropolis nightclub as premier-designate Pauline Marois was inside celebrating her party’s 2012 election victory on Sept. 4. 

He also faces three charges of attempted murder and two arson-related counts. He has pleaded not guilty to all six.

Galiatsatos said Bain told psychiatrist Marie-Frederique Allard his plan on the night of Sept. 4 was to kill as many Quebec separatists as possible, including then-PQ leader Marois.

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The accused replied he had no recollection of saying or writing such things or stating he wanted to set fire to the Metropolis to emulate a 1972 blaze at a Montreal club that killed 37 people.

Bain has previously said he still can’t recall events of that night, telling jurors he only remembers a second round of questioning by investigators two days later.

He testified earlier this week his last memories are of circling the Metropolis on the evening of Sept. 4 and of having taken several pills he said might have been anti-depressants.

Defence lawyer Alan Guttman has said he will try to show Bain should be found not criminally responsible by way of mental disorder — an argument based largely on Bain’s consumption of antidepressants, which apparently caused him to lose contact with reality.

Galiatsatos said Bain told Allard he had taken six pills to give him the courage to do “what was in his head.” 

But the Crown prosecutor added that a toxicology report showed no signs of the drug in question in his blood in the hours following the attack.

On Wednesday, jurors were shown footage of the accused refusing to answer questions and eventually collapsing to the floor while being interviewed by police investigators on Sept. 6.

The Crown alleges Bain approached the back of the club with a tactical assault rifle and fired a bullet that killed Blanchette and wounded another stagehand, David Courage.

Galiatsatos has also argued the attacks were politically motivated.

The trial continues Monday.

Pierre Saint-Arnaud, The Canadian Press