Front Burner

The Trial of Alek Minassian

There’s no question about whether Alek Minassian killed 10 people by ramming a van into them on Yonge Street in Toronto. This week, his legal defence team will argue that his “way of thinking” means he’s not at fault.
Alek Minassian is pictured at his trial, which is being held virtually. Minassian has admitted in court to killing 10 people and hurting 16 others when he drove a van down a crowded Toronto sidewalk on April 23, 2018. (Pam Davies/CBC)

It was one of the most harrowing attacks in recent Canadian history. Alek Minassian rented a moving van and killed 10 people and wounded 16 others on a busy section of Yonge Street in Toronto. Just before his attack on Facebook, he wrote of an "incel rebellion," aligning himself with the ideology of "involuntarily celibate" men who blame women for the fact they are alone.

None of Minassian's actions are in dispute. But this week, as Minassian faces trial for murder and attempted murder, his lawyers are expected to argue that their client was not criminally responsible for his actions. CBC's Ioanna Roumeliotis tells us how it could unfold.


Listen on Google Podcasts

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Spotify