Depression led Turcotte to kill kids: testimony
Guy Turcotte did not kill his children out of anger or revenge against his wife who’d cheated on him, but rather because he’d clearly sunk into a deep depression, a psychiatrist testified Tuesday.
Louis Morrisette evaluated Turcotte between February 2009 and September 2015.
Turcotte, 43, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his son, Olivier, 5, and daughter Anne-Sophie, 3.
He has admitted to causing their deaths but his lawyers are arguing he should be found not criminally responsible by way of mental disorder.
The psychiatrist, a defence witness, also said the consumption of windshield washer fluid had nothing to do with his actions. His testimony backed up the diagnosis of another psychiatrist, who testified that Turcotte was suffering from an adjustment disorder at the time of the slayings.
“It’s not a trivial disorder,” Morrissette told the jury, adding that when he stabbed his children, his judgment was “altered.”
Turcotte told jurors that on Feb. 20, 2009, he had decided to end his life and began drinking windshield washer fluid — which contains methanol. As he went about his plan, he decided to bring his children with him, stabbing them 46 times.
Morrisette said Turcotte was convinced killing the children was for their own well-being, ensuring they would not find his body the next day.
The psychiatrist admitted it’s a logic that makes no sense for someone of sound mind.
“For him, it was a lesser evil,” Morrissette said.
The Crown contends Turcotte is guilty of premeditated murder, has a selective memory and had vengeance on his mind.
Morrissette said although he couldn’t completely rule out vengeance, he said it was highly unlikely, despite testimony to the contrary.