Canada

Jurors in Magnotta trial back at work for Day 8 of deliberations

Eight women and four men have contacted the court only twice since deliberations began

MONTREAL – Jurors deliberating the fate of Luka Rocco Magnotta have begun their second full week behind closed doors.

The eight women and four men are into Day 8 and have contacted the court only twice over that time — once to ask a legal question and once to get technical help.

Magnotta is charged with first-degree murder and four other offences in the slaying and dismemberment of Chinese engineering student Jun Lin in May 2012.

He’s pleaded not guilty by way of mental disorder in hopes of being found not criminally responsible.

Magnotta’s lawyer claims his client is schizophrenic and couldn’t tell right from wrong at the time of the slaying, while prosecutors argue Lin’s death was planned and deliberate.

In addition to murder, Magnotta is charged with criminally harassing Prime Minister Stephen Harper and other members of Parliament; mailing obscene and indecent material; committing an indignity to a body; and publishing obscene materials.

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