Alek Minassian says he had a 'strong desire' to commit van attack, court hears

The man who drove a van down a crowded Toronto sidewalkand killed 10 people told a psychiatrist he had a strong desire tocommit the attack.

The trial of Alek Minassian has heard he told the psychiatrist that while he did not feel compelled to carry out the attack, he simply wanted to.

His explanation came in an audio recording of a conversation hehad with Dr. Alexander Westphal, who is testifying for the defence.

Minassian's lawyer had said Westphal would be the only expert to say the 28-year-old should be found not criminally responsible forhis actions, but the psychiatrist has stopped short of making that conclusion.

Westphal says Minassian does not truly understand the moralwrongfulness of killing 10 people but says criminal responsibilityis a legal opinion, not a psychiatric one.

Minassian has pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of first-degreemurder and 16 of attempted murder. He argues he should be found notcriminally responsible due to autism spectrum disorder.

His state of mind is the sole issue at trial after he admitted toplanning and carrying out the attack.

WATCH | Autism community concernced Minassian defence could stigmatize its members:

Autism defence presented at Toronto van attack trial

4 years ago

Duration 2:01

A forensic psychiatrist testified in court Monday about whether Alek Minassian's autism could be a reason to find him not criminally responsible for the deaths of 10 people in the Toronto van attack, a potential finding the autism community is concerned could stigmatize their members.

In the audio recording of Minassian's conversation with Westphal, court heard himdiscuss his motivation for the attack.

"I felt a strong desire to want to especially as the time ... approached, but I didn't feel compelled to do it, I didn't really
feel I had to do it," Minassian said.

Crown attorney Joe Callaghan said those words seemed at odds witha report by Westphal that said Minassian felt he "had to go throughwith it" after making the decision to go forward with his plan.

Under questioning from the Crown, Westphal said Minassian was notcompelled to commit the attack.

The Crown repeatedly asked why that was not in the report, aquestion Westphal seemed confused by.

"You only included facts that fit your narrative, you're notinterested in an objective view," Callaghan said, his voice raised.

"I think I accurately captured that aspect I don't think he wascompelled to do it," Westphal said.

This is Westphal's fourth straight day testifying at the trial.