By Canadian Press

Psychiatrist set to testify for defence at Toronto’s van attack trial

Nov 23, 2020 | 1:03 AM

TORONTO — A psychiatrist is set to testify for the defence today in the murder trial for the man who killed 10 people after driving a van down a crowded Toronto sidewalk. 

Dr. John Bradford is set to provide his evaluation of Alek Minassian, who has pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of first-degree murder and 16 counts of attempted murder.

Minassian argues he should be found not criminally responsible due to autism spectrum disorder for his actions on April 23, 2018. 

He has admitted to planning and carrying out the attack and his state of mind at the time is the sole issue at trial.

Another psychiatrist has testified that Minassian’s autism spectrum disorder left him fixated on mass killings and vulnerable to the ramblings of an American mass murderer.

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Court has heard that Minassian has told various doctors his motivation for the attacks ranged from notoriety to revenge against society for years of rejection by women to anxiety over starting a new job. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 23, 2020.

The Canadian Press