Alek Minassian not psychotic at time of van attack, psychiatrist says

TORONTO — Alek Minassian was not psychotic before, during or after he drove a van down a busy Toronto sidewalk killing 10 people and injuring 16, a forensic psychiatrist testified Thursday.

Dr. John Bradford said Minassian, 28, from Richmond Hill, Ont., has never shown any symptoms of psychosis and, in his opinion, does not meet the test to be found not criminally responsible for his actions on April 23, 2018.

“I did not observe nor was there any history from family or other sources that there were signs of, or symptoms present, before the incident and, in my opinion, during the incident or after the incident,” Bradford said.

Minassian has pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of firstdegree murder and 16 counts of attempted murder. He argues that he should be found not criminally responsible for his actions on the day of the attack due to autism spectrum disorder.

Bradford, who has evaluated some of Canada’s most notorious killers — including Robert Pickton, Paul Bernardo and Russell Williams — said Minassian has not shown any signs of delusions or hallucinations.

Minassian has admitted in court to planning and carrying out the attack, leaving his state of mind at the time of the attack the sole issue at trial.