Guy Turcotte trial: Defence makes its case with closing arguments underway

Final arguments began Tuesday in the first-degree murder trial of Guy Turcotte, with the defence asking the jury to judge the ex-doctor the way they would wish to be judged. 

The former cardiologist is accused of killing his two children, Olivier, 5, and Anne-Sophie, 3, in February of 2009.

Turcotte has pleaded not-guilty to the charges, and his lawyers argue the 43-year-old should be found not criminally responsible by way of mental disorder.

His lawyers argue that he should be found not criminally responsible by way of mental disorder.

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Defence lawyer Pierre Poupart began his arguments by thanking the jury members for their attentiveness. 

Poupart warned his closing arguments would be long and complex. He also stressed the presumption of innocence of the accused in in the legal system. 

He reminded jurors that a person can be found not criminally responsible if that person is incapable of knowing the act he or she is accused of committing is wrong. 

And he asked the seven men and four women on the jury to judge Turcotte the way they or their loved ones would wish to be judged. 

The closing arguments are expected to continue through the week at the St-Jérôme courthouse.

Toxicologist and Crown expert Martin Laliberte was cross-examined by the defence on Friday, concluding the presentation of evidence for both sides.

Turcotte testified he drank windshield washer fluid on Feb. 20, 2009, in order to kill himself and decided to kill his two young children to spare them the pain of finding his body.

Defence urges jury to focus on details

On Tuesday, Poupart dissected evidence brought up in the trial, saying things that might appear to be insignificant could have a greater meaning.

He brought up the example of the cap from the jug of windshield washer fluid. He said the jug and the glass from which Turcotte drank were smeared in blood. But not the cap.

This could indicate Turcotte drank the fluid before and after causing the deaths of his children, Poupart told the jury.

Poupart also asked about the vomit found in the master bedroom. He asked why the samples were not tested for traces of a volatile substance.

He said that would have allowed investigators to know how much of the toxic substance was in Turcottes's system.

Poupart resumes his closing arguments on Wednesday.