'Violence is not good for any reason,' University of Waterloo stabber says in apology at sentencing

The former student who pleaded guilty in the 2023 stabbing rampage ina University of Waterloo gender-studies class in 2023told his sentencing hearing Friday that he apologizes for his actions and to people who've been impacted by them.

Geovanny Villalba Aleman, 25, spoke on the fifth and final day of proceedings in Kitchener's Ontario Court of Justice.

Hebegan his apology by addressing "anyone who might be affected" by his choice to attack theclass in Hagey Hall.

"I admitted violence is not good for any reason."

"When I was I child, I never learned to trust," he added, reflecting on how he witnessed his father beat his mother, his dad would apologize and then he'd repeat the cycle of violence. Hedescribed how that eroded his trust in his father's apologies, but said his apology to the court is sincere.

"I just want to apologize to people who thought it was very horrible," he said,acknowledging some people may not believe him.

The hearingbegan Monday with victim impact statements,including from associate professor Katherine Fulferand the two students who were injured in the attack.

Earlier this week, Dr. Smita Vir Tyagi,aforensic and clinical psychologistretained by the defence, presentedareportto the court that weighed in on his mental state. The psychologist saidshe learnedhe had a poor sense of self-worth and found social interactions to be stressful, and she diagnosed him with bipolar disorder, adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)andautism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Tyagi clarified her diagnosis for Villalba Aleman was based on his own words and descriptions of his mental state before and during the attack, so she couldn't say with absolute certainty whether he was going through a psychotic break during the attackor if he'd ever experienced a psychotic break in his life.

On Tuesday, the Crown detailed the assault-related charges he pleaded guilty to this Juneas well as the federal terror-related countbeing considered as part of sentencing.Lawyer Howard Piafskytold the hearingthatVillalba Aleman acted "to instilfear into his perceived enemies."

One of the key components of terrorism under Canadian law is that the act must have been committed for a political, religious or ideological purpose.

If it's determined Villalba Alemancarriedout a hate-motivated attack, the Crown is asking Justice Frances Brennan to sentence the 25-year-old to a 13-year prison term. For a guilty finding on the terror charge, which could carry up to life in prison,the Crown is seeking 16 years.

Brennan will review the evidence presented in sentencing court and expects to hand down the sentence on Jan. 27.

Fulferwas in attendance every day of the sentencing hearing. Shedid not want to be interviewed outsidecourt after the hearing ended on Friday.

Debate over defining ex-student's ideology

Defence counsel argueit's difficult to exactly pinpoint what Villalba Aleman's ideology is because he washard to understandduring his lengthy interview with police rightafter the attack.

Cooper Lord, one of the defencelawyers, said there were over 350 words that were marked as "indiscernible" in the transcription of his interview with police.

Lord pointed outFulfer had described the ex-studentas looking "resigned" during the attack.

"I take that to mean his heart wasn't in it," Lord told the court.

The lawyer went on to challenge the Crown's suggestion that his actionsduring Pride month wereintentional timing because hismental state was deteriorating months prior to the attack.

Lord pointed out the part of thepolice interview where the ex-studenttold the officer, "I'm not a transphobe to be honest," and added his primary motivation was based on protecting free speech or academia.

The defence asked Brennan to consider an eight-year sentence if Villalba Alemanis found guilty of terrorism.

Piafskydoubled down on the position that hedid attack because of his ideology and should be found guilty of terrorism,and not just hate, which would come with a lesser sentence.

"He's not just targeting the LGBTQ community," Piafsky said. "His motivation is not just hateit's a political and ideological concern."

Piafsky and Brennan proceeded to have a lengthy back and forth about the best way to define the man'sideology, and whether it meets the Criminal Code's definition of what constitutes terrorism.