La Loche shooter has no 'moral fibre' to prevent attack: psychiatrist

A psychiatrist who testified at the sentencing hearing for the La Loche, Sask., shootersays the teen doesn't have the "moral fibre" that would prevent others from carrying out such ahorrific attack.

• Sentencing hearing reveals La Loche, Sask., school shooter's actions before killings
• 'I've been hated at school,' La Loche shooter told parents: police

In January 2016, the teenagerwalked through the school in the northern community of LaLoche, firing a shotgun. He shot and killed Adam Wood, 35, and teacher's assistant MarieJanvier, 21. Earlier in the day, he had shot and killed teenage brothersDayneandDraydenFontaineat a home in the community.

Dr. Mansfield Mela, a witness for the defence in the case, said the teen shooter suffered from a host of psychiatric disorders, including an intellectual deficit disorder, a conduct disorder and a major depressive disorder.

He told the court that those disorders, combined with the shooter's seeming obsession with school shooting videos and violent video games, were certainly contributing factors in his decision to kill.

"His impressionable mind was preyedupon by the [school shooting] videos he was watching," Mela said.

He added that in the weeks and days before the shooting, the killer became more convinced he could actually carry out the act, similar to the videos he watched online.

Melaconcluded that the teen would be better placed in the Regional PsychiatricCentre in Saskatoon than the Saskatchewan Penitentiary.

Contrasting testimonies

Mela's views, however, contrast with two other experts who testified earlier this week.

Dr.DeclanQuinn, for example, said the youth may have suffered from mild depression and anxiety, but was unable to officially diagnosehim.

KatelynHarker, a clinical psychologist who also testified, was only able to diagnosethe teen with amild cannabis disorder.

• La Loche shooter 'wasn't bothered' by victim impact statements: psychologist

Mela is the first of three witnesses attorney Aaron Fox said he plans to call on in an attempt to argue why the young man should be tried as a youth instead of an adult.

Fox said that he expects the accused to be able to give a courtroom statement.

Remaining court timeline unknown

The judge presiding over the shooter's sentencing, Janet McIvor, has, at the request of Fox, ordered a Gladue report to help her determine an appropriate sentence for the shooter.

• La Loche shooter's Indigenous background to be factored into sentence

A Gladue report outlines factors in an Indigenous offender's life that may have contributed to their criminal history, and gives judges options to give offenders an alternative to jail time.

The shooter, who carried out the killing spree as a young offender, is now aged 19. Youngoffenders are typically transferred out of youth correctional facilities at the age of 20.

"The whole purpose of this sentencing hearing is to get as much information out in front of the judge as soon as possible," said Fox.

It's not yet known when, following Fox's defence, the court will reconvene to hear final arguments.

• How the school shooting in La Loche, Sask., unfolded

• Hearings bring up painful memories for La Loche

But Foxsaid he did not expect it to be sooner than two weeks after the court adjourns on Friday.

CBC reporter Charles Hamilton has beenlive-tweeting from court this week. You can follow today's tweets below.On mobile? Click here.