MONTREAL — The Crown's expert forensic psychiatrist says even if Luka Rocco Magnotta was suffering from schizophrenia, he knew what he was doing the night Jun Lin was killed.
Dr. Gilles Chamberland wrapped up testimony linked to his nine-page report and is now being cross-examined by defence lawyer Luc Leclair.
Defence psychiatrists have testified they believe Magnotta was psychotic, had been untreated for schizophrenia for at least two years and was unable to tell right from wrong when he killed Lin in 2012.
The Crown says the crime was planned and deliberate.
Chamberland has doubts about Magnotta's schizophrenia diagnosis, but said today that even if it is accurate, there's nothing to indicate he was not in touch with reality the night of the killing.
Magnotta is charged with first-degree murder in Lin's slaying. He has admitted to committing the acts but has pleaded not guilty by way of mental disorder.
Chamberland's testimony Tuesday touched on several issues, including what he said are numerous parallels between Magnotta's case and the movie “Basic Instinct.”
He called the similarities “fundamental” to the case and described them as troubling. In particular, Chamberland said the ice-pick theme is of concern as it's predominant throughout the movie and in Lin's slaying.