SAINT JEROME, Que. — The 11 jurors at the first-degree murder trial of ex-Quebec doctor Guy Turcotte have been sequestered.
They will now deliberate the fate of Turcotte, who was charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the stabbing deaths of his two children in 2009.
Earlier today, Quebec Superior Court Justice Andre Vincent cautioned the jury against being influenced by public opinion on the case.
The jurors have four options: find Turcotte not criminally responsible by way of mental disorder or find him guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree murder or manslaughter.
Turcotte, 43, has admitted to causing the deaths of Olivier, 5, and Anne-Sophie, 3, but his lawyer is seeking a verdict of not criminally responsible by way of mental disorder, which was the outcome at his first trial in 2011.
The Crown completed its final arguments last week, saying the accused had decided to commit suicide and wanted to kill his children to ensure they weren't raised by another man.
Earlier, Turcotte's lawyer had argued his client was a loving father who would not have killed his children unless he was suffering from mental illness.
On Monday, Vincent reminded jurors their deliberations are secret and confidential and no one can ask them why they reached one verdict over another.
He also reminded them their verdict must be based on the evidence they heard in court and not from other sources.
"You should not be swayed by public opinion," Vincent told them.