Richard Bain was 'clearly psychotic' 2 weeks after shooting, psychiatrist testifies
Dr. Marie-Frdrique Allard hired by the defence to assess criminal responsibility of accused murderer
After the election-night shooting, Richard Bain told a psychiatrist that he believed he was carrying out a "mission" and that the events of Sept. 4, 2012 were the will of God, the court has heard.
Bain is accused of first-degree murder, as well as three counts of attempted murder, for the deadly shooting outside the Metropolis concert hall, where the Parti Qubcois was celebrating itselection victory.
- CBC'scomplete coverage: RichardBainmurder trial
- Accused RichardBainsays he has no memory of election-night shooting
On Wednesday, the court heard testimony from psychiatristDr.Marie-FrdriqueAllard, who met withBaintwo weeks after the shooting.
She told the court thatBainwas suffering from somesymptoms of bipolar disorder when she met with him.
"He was clearly psychotic with symptoms of mania," she told the court, referring toBain'scondition duringa meeting onSept. 18, 2012, atheRivire-des-Prairiesdetention centre.
Allardsaid she tried to convey toBainthe severity of the charges he was facing, thathe was accused of killing a man and that he needed to think about that.
Bain's answer was:"Whatever I do it's the will of God,"Allardtestified.
She said he also told her that the events of Sept. 4 were "his mission."
"As a psychiatrist,a sentence like that tells me that he could have some delusional ideas that may have led to the act," Allard told the court.
The defence, which is arguingBainis not criminallyresponsible because of a mental disorder,hiredAllardto assessBain'scriminal responsibility for the election-nightshooting.
The prosecution contends the shooting was premeditated and politicallymotivated.
Allardtold the court that both times she met Bain in2012, theirconversation focused heavily on religion.
"He was saying 'God will decide. God will pick the jury. God will pick the judge,'" Allard told the jury, referring to her notes from their meeting.
She thoughtBainbelieved he would be acquitted of his crimes, released from jail, and allowed to become a preacher.
It seemed like Bain's priority was to spread his vision, rather than defend himself or talk to her, according to Allard.
"The more Mr. Bain said, the more my suspicion grew about him having delusional, religious and grandiose ideas," she testified.
Anti-depressant might have contributed to mania
The psychiatrist has not yet provided the court with an overalldiagnosis ofBain'smental state on the night of the alleged murder, but she did say that in TV footage ofBain'sarrest, he appears "agitated" and that he wasdressed strangely.
Allard'stestimony will continue on Thursday.
The psychiatrist hasexplained to the jury that people who suffer from bipolar disorder tend to experience swings from deep depression to mania or hypomania, a less severe version of mania.
Throughout the trial, Bain's defence lawyer has carefullyhighlighted anecdotesfrom friends, family members and Bain himself, that could illustratesymptoms of mania.
- Richard Bain sings hymns to himself, prays to God while alone in interrogation room
- Richard Bain's friend says the accusedstruggled with depression
For instance, the court has repeatedly heard about Bain'sfixation with the H1N1 pandemic, his sudden conversion to Christianityand his excessive spending.
In fact, Bain's family doctor has testified that the accused came to see him in the fall of 2009with symptoms of mania.
Dr. Stan Van Duysetold the court he thought he "had a handle on it" and switched Bain to a different anti-depressant.
But on Wednesday,Allard told the court that Bain should have seen a psychiatrist.
In fact, she testified, the new anti-depressant that he wasprescribed, called Effexor, could have contributed to Bain'smanic state in 2009.
No memory of election-night shooting
Earlier in the trial,Baintestified in his own defence andtold the jury that he doesn't remember the night of the shooting or the first timepolice interrogated him, which occurred the following morning.
Bain said that he believes that on the day of the attack, he took up to nine doses of an anti-depressant either Cymbaltaor Effexor which he blames for his actions.
"It gives you the energy to do what you want to do, right or wrong," he told the jury.
During cross-examination, the prosecution suggested to Baina different version of eventsthat he in fact wanted to be a "martyr" for anglophone rights, and that hetook thepillson purpose in order to have the guts to carry out his plan.
Bainhastold the jury that wasn't true.
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