Guy Turcotte testifies at murder trial

Guy Turcotte,the cardiologist accused of killinghis two young children, has taken the standat his trialin St.Jrme Monday.

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Turcotte spokeabout being bullied as a child and discussedthe early days of his relationship with ex-wife Isabelle Gaston.

He described his parents aspracticing Catholics who passed on their values of generosity and humility to their six children.

Turcotte spoke softly and calmly, occasionally breaking down in tears.

Defence lawyer Pierre Poupart argued that Turcotte is not criminally responsible for the deaths of his two young children due to mental disorder, echoing theverdict handed down at Turcotte'sfirst trial.

"Without this mental illness, he would have never caused the deaths of his children," Poupart told the jury.

Poupart said thathe will call witnesses as wellas experts -- "doctors specialized in the examination of what goes
on in the brain."

He also reminded jurorsthey will need to reach a verdict based onthe evidence and not on their emotions.

"Condemning a person who is not criminally responsible wouldshake the legal foundations and strike a blow to the integrity ofthe judicial system," Poupart said."It would be horrible to be condemned for acts that are not the
acts of a person of sound mind."

He warned jurors there are still things to see that are painfuland that nobody, even Turcotte himself, can be insensitive to thefacts of the case.

The defence lawyer also asked the jurors to not forget that "thechildren who were victims of this tragedy were also his children."

Described as caring father

The defence phase of themurder trialbegan Monday with testimony from Turcotte'sbrother Gilleswho said that he and his parents initially believed that Guy Turcotte had died around the same time as thechildren.

"We were crying for the three victims," Gilles Turcotte said.

Gilles Turcotte said his brother Guy later told him he "missed" his children and was "horrified" by what had happened.

He also expressed admiration for his brother Guy who he described as acaring father.

Last week, prosecutors wrapped up 11 days of testimony,which saw 29 witnesses testify.

Witnesses includeda computer expert who reported that Turcotte conducted internet searches related to poisons and suicide prior to the deaths.

Heis being tried for a second time for murder in the death of his children Olivier, five, and Anne-Sophie, three, on Feb. 20, 2009.

-With a file from The Canadian Press