Accused in truck attack on London Ont. family suffered from multiple mental illnesses
WARNING: The video and the details in this article may be disturbing to some viewers
Nathaniel Veltman, 22, is on trial in a Windsor, Ont. court for the June 2021 truck attack on the Afzaal family.
Grandmother Talat, her son Salman, his wife Madiha and their teenage daughter Yumnah all died after suffering multiple trauma injuries. Their nine-year-old son suffered serious but survivable injuries.
The family was struck by a pickup truck driven by Veltman while they waited to cross the intersection of Hyde Park Road and South Carriage Road in London.
Veltman has pleaded not guilty to four counts of terrorism-motivated first-degree murder and one count of terrorism-motivated attempted murder.
MENTAL HEALTH IN FOCUS
Thursday’s evidence focused on Veltman’s mental illnesses as defence witness Dr. Julian Gojer testified.
He interviewed Veltman on numerous occasions both in jail as well as during an in-patient visit to the Royal Ottawa Hospital.
Gojer diagnosed Veltman with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), persistent depressive disorder, personality disorder and complex trauma (a lesser form of post traumatic stress disorder).
The doctor told the jury he believes Veltman developed a “trauma kind of response” to his upbringing in a strict, home-schooled household.
Gojer explained "being picked on, unable to understand why restrictions were placed on him and he had to cope with the attitude and views that his mother had."
The doctor also believes Veltman has a “distorted” world view that he was more enlightened than everyone else.
Although the doctor testified Veltman suffered from psychotic episodes, he does not believe Veltman was in a psychotic state at the time of the offences.
Gojer said these issues are all relevant to explain "How did this person get to this point, where he killed four people and nearly killed a fifth person?" and "Did it happen in vacuum? Where did the views come from?"
IMPACT OF PSILOCYBIN USAGE
A portion of Gojers’ evidence is about the impact of psilocybin — a hallucinogenic commonly known as magic mushrooms — on Veltman’s mental illnesses.
Gojer told the jury that depending on how much is consumed, a psilocybin high can last “generally” for four to six hours.
The jury has previously heard evidence Veltman consumed three grams of psilocybin around 3 a.m. on June 5, 2021, the day before the attack.
He testified the affect of the drug can vary between people, based on a wide range of things.
Gojer told the jury if a person is happy when they consume the drug they might have a good “ride” but if they are sad, depressed or struggling mentally they might have a bad “trip.”
He also testified there isn’t a lot of research on how long it takes for the drug to fully leave the body, and said it could be days, weeks or months.
Veltman previously testified he felt like he was in a “dream-like state” until June 8, 2021 — two days after the attack.
Gojer’s evidence is expected to continue Friday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6962275.1720822968!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Alec Baldwin weeps in court when judge announces involuntary manslaughter case dismissed mid-trial
A New Mexico judge on Friday brought a sudden and stunning end to the involuntary manslaughter case against Alec Baldwin, dismissing it in the middle of the actor's trial and saying it cannot be filed again.
'He was loved': Family members devastated by death of Toronto man allegedly swarmed by teens
Family members of a homeless Toronto man who died after police allege he was swarmed and stabbed by a group of teen girls say the thought of his last moments haunts them.
'I told you it wasn't a dream': Ontario couple retires after winning $55-million Lotto Max jackpot
When the $55-million Lotto Max jackpot they won was finally deposited in their bank account, Laurene Shail and Doltan Hawk couldn't help but be overcome by emotions and hug each other.
Video released of wild police car chase involving white Lamborghini north of Toronto
Police north of Toronto have released dramatic video of a car chase that led officers across York Region in pursuit of a Lamborghini SUV that was clocked at speeds in excess of 200 km/h.
A B.C. man owes $27,000 in COVID benefit repayments. He's fighting back and is not the only one
A Vancouver man is fighting back against the Canada Revenue Agency's (CRA) claims that he wasn't eligible to receive COVID benefits during the pandemic and owes the government more than $27,000.
Calgary man wanted on Canada-wide warrant for murder
Calgary police have released the photo of a man wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for first-degree murder.
What a geriatric doctor wishes you knew now for healthy aging
Longevity isn’t just about living a long life but also about living well. More than one in five Americans will be 65 or older by 2040, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services projects.
Girl, 12, kicked out of Quebec karate class for wearing hijab: human rights commission
The Quebec Human Rights Commission is seeking $13,000 for the family of a 12-year-old girl who was kicked out of her karate class for wearing a hijab.
2 bodies of people believed to be from B.C. wash ashore Sable Island, N.S.
Nova Scotia RCMP say a boat containing the bodies of two people believed to be from British Columbia washed ashore the Sable Island National Park Reserve earlier this week.