Nathaniel Veltman murder trial: A recap of week 6
WARNING: The details in this article and videos may be disturbing to some viewers
The Nathaniel Veltman murder trial continued for a shortened sixth week and saw the accused take the stand in his own defence.
Here’s what you missed.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 9
The jury was off for several days for the Thanksgiving long weekend, with the trial now in the hands of the defence after the Crown rested its case on Oct. 5
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10 AND WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the jury did not sit and no evidence was heard. The judge and lawyers were in attendance however discussing legal matters subject to a publication ban.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12
Veltman took the stand Thursday in a Windsor, Ont. courtroom in his ongoing murder trial, being the first witness called by the defence.
“I didn't know how to connect with people, I didn't have any social skills,” Veltman testified Thursday. "I didn't have a normal upbringing."
The jury learned Veltman was home-schooled by his mother from kindergarten until grade 11. He described his mother as “extremely religious” and strict.
According to Veltman, he and his five siblings had no connection to anyone outside their church, based in Strathroy, Ont.
By the age of 12 or 13, Veltman said he started to realize he wasn’t “normal.”
“Most of my abnormal behaviour I attributed to being home schooled,” Veltman said.
Veltman told the jury his mother wouldn’t take him to speak to a “secular therapist” for fear it would further ruin his mind. She relied instead on Bible scriptures.
His parents separated when Veltman was 15 years old, and Veltman told the jury he moved out of his house two weeks after he turned 16.
After years of begging, Veltman said his mother eventually agreed to let him go to a public high school, but once there, he said it was difficult to fit in.
“I had difficulty making connections,” he said. “I was an outcast.”
Veltman testified all day Thursday but at no point was he asked about his actions on June 6, 2021 — the day he has already admitted to the jury, he drove into the Afzaal family while they waited to cross Hyde Park Road at South Carriage Road.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13
Veltman returned to the stand for a second day on Friday, and explained his history of suicidal thoughts and drug usage, specifically psilocybin, which is commonly referred to as magic mushrooms.
"I had reached a point where I was so deranged, but I convinced myself I was fine," Veltman told the jury about his mental state in the spring of 2021.
At the time, Veltman testified he was addicted to viewing “far right political content” and “extremely outlandish and offensive jokes,” and was spending more and more of his time online, accessing offensive content and videos using the dark web.
The websites he accessed focused on alleged censorship by mainstream media of what Veltman referred to as minority on white crime.
“This content started to warp my view of the world,” Veltman told the jury. “It filled me with a loathing of society, loathing of the world.”
Veltman also told the jury he made two unsuccessful attempts at suicide.
“I was barely holding on, trying to function normally,” he said.
Veltman admitted some of the content he viewed — specifically a shooting video made by a New Zealand man — was shocking at first, but after watching it repeatedly he became “desensitized.”
He told the jury he would get into “fits of rage” while looking at online conspiracy theories.
“I said, 'I’m going to commit an act of violence,'” he testified late Friday.
Veltman’s grandmother died on June 4, 2021, and he admitted to the jury he didn’t react well to “seeing the body.”
He testified he consumed the hallucinogenic psilocybin — commonly referred to as magic mushrooms — in the early morning hours of June 5, 2021.
The jury was excused for the weekend by Justice Renee Pomerance, who asked the jury to return at 2:15 p.m. on Oct. 16.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.