WATCH/LISTEN: Monday is the final day of evidence in Kachkar trial
Monday is expected to be the final day of evidence at the Richard Kachkar murder trial.
There have been 22 days of evidence over 6 weeks presented in court in Kachkar’s first-degree murder trial. Kachkar is charged in the death of Toronto Police Sgt. Ryan Russell.
There is no dispute that Kachkar was driving the stolen snowplow that killed the 35 year-old father of one, but his state of mind is what jurors must determine.
His legal team argues that he should be found not criminally responsible in the officer’s death because of a mental illness that prevented him from understanding his actions.
The Crown disagrees and has called several psychiatrists that death with Kachkar after Russell’s death, testifying that they found the now 46 year-old man to have no psychotic symptoms, including the death following the snowplow rampage on January 12th 2011.
The final two witnesses are expected to testify Monday and closing arguments could come later this week.
Among the evidence presented in court was audio and video of Sgt. Russell’s final moments.
Court also watched video and heard a statement that Kachkar gave police while in custody about two weeks after Russell was killed.
Notes written by Kachkar were entered into evidence as well as documents detailing his “grandiose” business plans including some bizarre possibilities involving reality TV’s Kardashian family.
The jury also saw crime scene photos from Avenue Road where Russell was killed.