A Toronto man has been found guilty of second-degree murder for the fatal stabbing and decapitation of his mother in 2022.
The verdict was delivered by a jury on Friday, following a two-week trial at the Superior Court of Justice in Toronto.
According to the Crown, the accused, who cannot be named due to a publication ban, killed his mother in their shared apartment in the city’s east end on May 15, 2022.
The court heard that the accused had a history of mental illness and had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. He had been living with his mother at the time of the incident.
During the trial, the Crown argued that the accused had planned the murder and carried it out with intent. The defence, however, argued that the accused was not criminally responsible due to his mental illness.
In the end, the jury found the accused guilty of second-degree murder, which carries an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole for at least 10 years.
The judge presiding over the case thanked the jury for their careful consideration of the evidence and acknowledged the difficult nature of the trial.
The family of the victim, who were present in court throughout the trial, expressed relief and closure at the verdict.
The accused will be sentenced at a later date, after a pre-sentence report and psychiatric assessment have been completed.
This tragic case serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of mental illness and the importance of seeking help and support for those who are struggling.
