General

Psychiatrist testifies Guy Turcotte, who killed his children in 2009, is fit for release

Psychiatrist Dr. Louis Morrissette has testified that former St. Jerome cardiologist Guy Turcotte, who killed his two children in 2009, is ready for release. Morrissette is testifying on Turcotte’s behalf at a hearing to determine whether he should remain in psychiatric custody, or go free with or without conditions. The Gazette reports the psychiatrist spent a total of 11 hours with Turcotte, and concluded: “There is no reason, either medical or in terms of the danger he poses, that he should stay in hospital.”

In 2009, Turcotte stabbed his children, 5 and 3 to death after drinking windshield washer fluid in a botched suicide attempt. He was found not criminally responsible for the killings in 2011.

Dr. Morrissette was the first of two psychiatrists expected to take the stand at a hearing to determine whether Turcotte should be released, or held in a psychiatric institution. He stated the conditions are ideal for Turcotte’s return to society and has proposed treating Turcotte if he is released.

Dozens of people marched outside the Philippe Pinel Institute, where Turcotte is currently being held, in a show of support for Morrissette’s ex-wife, the mother of the two children.

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