Alek Minassian faced 10 counts of first-degree murder and 16 counts of attempted murder in connection with the attack on 23 April 2018 that drew attention to an online world of sexual loneliness; rage and misogyny.
Minassian had pleaded not criminally responsible, But the defense failed to prove Minassian’s autism spectrum disorder deprived him of the capacity to know his actions were wrong, Judge Anne Molloy said in a verdict that was live-streamed on YouTube following a trial held virtually due to the pandemic.
Throughout the ruling; Justice Malloy refused to name the attacker, 28, referring to him instead as John Doe, and said she would not give him the notoriety “he sought from the start”.
Ms. Malloy accepted his diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) but ruled that he was capable of understanding his actions in April 2018 were both legally and morally wrong.
“Mr. Doe thought about committing these crimes over a considerable period of time and made a considered decision to proceed. His attack on these 26 victims that day was an act of a reasoning mind notwithstanding its horrific nature and notwithstanding that he has no remorse for it and no empathy for his victims.”
“This case has in many ways and on many days been a struggle,” Molloy said. “This accused committed a horrific crime – one of the most devastating tragedies this city has ever endured; for the purpose of achieving fame.”
Minassian’s lawyer argued his autism spectrum disorder prevented him from knowing what he was doing was wrong when he drove the van into pedestrians on a crowded sidewalk.
“Lack of empathy for the suffering of victims, even an incapacity to empathize for whatever reason, does not constitute a defense,” Molloy said.
Minassian rented the van some three weeks before he used it as a weapon on a major Toronto street. The attack took place in April 2018; when Minassian drove a rented van down a busy sidewalk on a major street just north of Toronto; hitting one person after another. Those killed ranged in age from 22 to 94.
He told investigators; he had set out to kill as many people as possible and; that he drew inspiration from the misogynistic “incel” movement of mostly online groups of young men; who blame their lack of sexual activity on women.
Asked by investigators how he felt about the harm he had caused; the attacker replied: “I feel like I accomplished my mission”.