The accused in the Quebec City mosque shooting has changed his plea to guilty as pre-trial motions resumed in a Quebec City courtroom on Wednesday.
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He pleaded guilty to six counts of first-degree murder and six counts of attempted murder using a restricted firearm — five counts for the injured and one for the 35 people who were at the mosque the night of the shooting but were not injured.
Bissonnette originally pleaded not guilty to all 12 charges on Monday morning, but changed his plea that afternoon.
“I’ve thought about this a long time. In my heart, this is the decision I’ve made,” Bissonnette told the judge Monday after requesting his plea be changed to guilty.
He was then ordered to undergo a court-mandated psychiatric evaluation.
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A psychologist who had already met with Bissonnette six times went to meet him for a seventh time Monday night.
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The psychologist then reviewed recordings of the proceedings earlier that day and told the judge that Bissonnette was able to stand trial, he understood the consequences of his decision, wasn’t under pressure or on any drugs that would cloud his judgement; he is taking Effexor.
He explained the decision was taken after reflection.
Superior Court Justice Francois Huot agreed Wednesday morning to accept the 12 guilty pleas.
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Alexandre Bissonnette, 28, was arrested after a gunman stormed into the Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec during evening prayers on Jan. 29, 2017.
Six men were killed in the attack and 19 other people were injured — five of whom suffered serious injuries.
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Lawyers for the accused were expected to file a series of motions ahead of the trial, which was set to begin the first week of April with jury selection.
A publication ban had been in place since Monday, but was lifted.
Court will resume April 10 to discuss a date for sentencing.
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