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Defence challenges psychiatrist’s claims at Lindsay trial

The Crown’s key expert witness’ conclusion is Mark Damien Lindsay should be held criminally responsible for the murder of an Edmonton mother of three went under the microscope.

The Crown’s key expert witness’ conclusion is Mark Damien Lindsay should be held criminally responsible for the murder of an Edmonton mother of three went under the microscope.

Dr. Peter Todd’s conclusion came under heavy scrutiny by defence counsel Kent Tesky. After two days of Crown Prosecutor Bina Border questioning Rodd, Teskey got his crack at cross examination.

Lindsay, 29, is accused of murdering Dana Turner, 31, days after being released from jail for an assault he committed on her. Lindsay stabbed her in the face and served 50 days in custody.

Teskey questioned why Rodd only interviewed Lindsay once. Rodd said he was asked for his opinion by another psychiatrist who was examining Lindsay. The second psychiatrist, Dr. Vijay Singh, was not called to testify. However, his and Rodd’s conclusions aligned with each other.

Similar to how Border approached her cross examination of defence expert witnesses, Teskey questioned Rodd and what value and weight he gave certain reports of Lindsay’s behaviour. Teskey pointed to Lindsay’s parents testimony during the trial and early psychiatric reports that identified some of the paranoid symptoms Lindsay presented.

Rodd said in his his examination of Lindsay he tried to not restrict himself to reaching his conclusion by picking from isolated data points, but instead looked towards context and over-arching themes.

Lindsay is accused of killing Turner in August 2011. He has admitted to stabbing her in the eyes with a pencil, strangling her and then running over her with a car.

Lindsay said he believed Turner was a member of a group of serial killers called Healers. The group had sent Turner to kill him specifically.

Lindsay’s criminal responsibility is the main trial issue.

Defence expert testimony has said Lindsay’s schizophrenia enabled the psychosis that led to Lindsay killing Turner.

His paranoid delusions around Turner and the Healers are evidence of that.

Crown expert testimony said Lindsay’s actions after the murder were calculated, which showed an awareness of the wrongfulness of the act. Lindsay bought a shovel and other items in an attempt to hide Turner’s body — he ended up leaving her body in a ditch on an oil lease road west of Innisfail. Lindsay also got his resume and welding book before leaving Edmonton for an extended period of time. Rodd believes Lindsay appreciated the consequences of his actions and can be held criminally responsible.

Trial now takes a short adjournment to Thursday when closing argumenta will be held.

mcrawford@www.reddeeradvocate.com