‘Drug-induced psychotic state’

Toxicology expert testifies Joel Lawrence Clow would have been extremely intoxicated by drugs, alcohol at the time Traci Lynch died

Joel Clow could have been experiencing a drug-induced psychotic state at the time of Traci Lynch’s death, a toxicology expert testified Thursday. Peter Mullen took the stand for the defence and talked about his assessment of the findings in an RCMP toxicology report.

Mullen prepared his own report that said based on information he was provided, including Clow’s behaviour and assumed drug use, the accused would have been extremely intoxicated around the time Lynch died.

It was highly probable Clow would have experienced a drug-induced psychotic state characterized by a high risk for becoming paranoid, delusional and suddenly violent, Mullen said in his report. “In such a drug-induced psychotic state, it is my opinion that Mr. Clow would have had little rational capacity to comprehend the consequences of his actions.”

Clow is on trial in P.E.I. Supreme Court in Charlottetown after pleading not guilty to first-degree murder in the death of Traci Lynch in Pleasant Grove on July 24, 2015. A statement of admissions previously presented in court said Clow acknowledged his physical acts must be responsible for Lynch’s unlawful death.

The forensic pathologist who conducted the autopsy determined Lynch died from strangulation and a blunt head injury.

A toxicology report on a sample of Clow’s blood drawn at 9:53 p.m. on July 24, 2015 found alcohol, methamphetamine, amphetamine, THC and THC metabolites, a cocaine metabolite and a sedative. The court heard the cocaine metabolite indicated Clow used cocaine, but not when he used it.

Mullen said based on the assumption Clow didn’t consume any alcohol between when his blood was drawn and Lynch died, the level of alcohol would have been in the range of 267 to 461 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood.

The legal limit for driving is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. Mullen said based on his extrapolations, the level of methamphetamine in Clow’s blood at the time Lynch died could have caused any of several effects, including aggression and hallucinations. Methamphetamine abuse can also cause ideas of infidelity and jealousy delusions about the user’s partner, Mullen said.

Mullen told the court he interviewed Clow in November 2016.

At that time Clow told him he used to hallucinate while under the effect of drugs and still heard voices like the sound of children in a playground, Mullen said.

Before Mullen took the stand in the afternoon, the Crown closed its case after the last prosecution witness finished his testimony.

The trial resumes Friday with the defence calling its next witness.