A jurors' rights advocate has launched a lawsuit seeking damages from both the federal and Ontario governments for post-traumatic stress disorder he developed during a lengthy Toronto murder trial in 2014.
Mark Farrant spent five months as a juror in the 2014 trial of Farshad Badakhshan, who was ultimately convicted of murdering his 23-year-old girlfriend, Carina Petrache, a student at Ryerson University.
He was later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, which spurred him to become an outspoken advocate for the need to provide counselling for jurors hearing horrific cases.
In a statement of claim filed last week, Farrant seeks damages for his PTSD from the attorneys general of Ontario and Canada as a result of being subjected to graphic and disturbing evidence during his time as a juror.
It says Farrant continues to suffer from stress, fatigue, insomnia, loss of appetite, significant weight loss, loss of income and a diminished capacity to enjoy life.
The claim has not been proven in court.