Luka Magnotta trial: Defence says 'madness' explains killing

In surprisingly briefclosing arguments, Luka Magnottas defence lawyer asked the jury to find his client not criminally responsible for the five charges against him, including first-degree murder, because Magnotta was not in his right mind when he killed and dismembered Jun Lin.

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Luc Leclair focused on Magnotta's "state of madness" in his summation, using surveillance video to point out behaviour that he called insane in the hours following the killing.

Magnotta has admitted to killing and dismembering Lin, 33, but has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him by reason ofmental illness.

Leclair told jury members they could use their own common sense and disregard the reports compiled by two psychiatrists hired by the defence to assess Magnotta, hundreds of pages that ended with the conclusion that the accused was in a psychotic state and did not know what he was doing was wrong.

Put them aside, Leclair said. You're not obligated to follow the opinion of psychiatrists. You can decide that Mr. Magnotta was not able to realize the consequence of his acts.

Focus on the evidence, jury told

Leclair asked jury members to focus on the evidence submitted at trial.

He pointed to medical records that show Magnotta started complaining of symptoms of schizophrenia at the age of 19.

Leclair said that theres no doubt Magnotta suffers from schizophrenia, a condition detailed in his medical records.

As the defence lawyer continued withclosing arguments, he jumped from example to example in a disjointed manner.

He suggested the juryread in great detail one of Magnottas hospital reports, but in the next sentence, he told them to do what they wished.

Im not sure if Ive lost you or not, but I hope not, Leclair said at one point.

Madness is madness

Leclairplayed surveillance video of Magnotta walking in and out of his apartment in the hours before and after the killing, punctuating the clips by pointing out to the jury the behaviour he thinks proves insanity.

The jury once again saw Magnotta walking in the lobby wearing Lins yellow T-shirt, shortly after the killing.

Thats not normal, Leclair told the court, Hes in a state of madness.

As for the image of Magnotta wearing the victims blue-and-white baseball cap, Leclair said the video shows its not a trophy, hes not parading around.

Leclair listed a string of what he said were examples of strange behaviour: the fact thatMagnotta started rumours he was dating Karla Homolka; howhe travelled to London to deny he was behind cat torture videos;that he once brought his puppy to a date, but forgot to bring the puppys milk.

He also brought up the photo taken while Magnotta was speaking to British journalist Alex West, telling the jury to look into Magnottas vacant eyes.

Madness is madness, Leclair summed up, referring specifically to a report detailing Magnottas visit to a Miami hospital in early 2011.

He called Magnotta an entity that lived, that will live, but said theres a large gulf between the man and the reality.

Leclair ended by asking jury members to use their common sense and life experience to try to understand the accuseds insanity.

The Crown, which alleges the killing was premeditated, will deliver its closing arguments Thursday morning, with the jury set to begin deliberating after final instructions on Friday.

Two jurors will be randomly excluded from the deliberations, since the law allows for a maximum of 12 people to reach a final verdict.