The Crown’s expert witness has taken the stand Wednesday at Richard Henry Bain‘s first-degree murder trial.
READ MORE: Crown prosecutor suggests accused election night shooter faking mental illness
Forensic psychiatrist Joel Watts is expected to bolster the Crown’s argument that the man accused of killing lighting technician Denis Blanchette outside the Parti Québécois (PQ) election night rally in September 2012 was of sound mind and acted out of anger.
READ MORE: Psychiatrist who assessed Bain says he was ‘likely’ psychotic night of shooting
Passages of Watts’ psychiatric evaluation of Bain were discussed earlier this week, including the doctor’s belief that Bain’s statements about religion and politics were not delusional and bizarre but rather plausible and mainstream.
READ MORE: Richard Henry Bain claims anti-depressants fuelled actions during election-night shooting
Watts’ evaluation of Bain contradicts that of the defence’s expert, forensic psychiatrist Marie-Frédérique Allard, who has supported the argument that Bain should be held not criminally responsible due to a mental disorder.
The defence has argued the accused was psychotic the night of the shooting and believed he was given a mission from God to kill.
READ MORE: Mixing meds made alleged Quebec election shooter a ticking time bomb, says expert
Bain, 65, has pleaded not guilty to one count of first-degree murder, three counts of attempted murder and two arson-related charges in connection with the shooting outside the Metropolis nightclub in Montreal where PQ supporters were gathered on Sept. 4, 2012.
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