The trial of a man accused of intentionally killing a Muslim family from London began on Tuesday with Justice Renee Pomerance instructing the jury that police conduct was not the issue after Monday's cross-examination of the London police detective who interviewed Nate Veltman a few hours after he was arrested.
Pomerance told the jury the police conduct was "fair and just" during the interview and it was the custody conditions that was the issue.
The defence questioned if Veltman's detention conditions, including a lack of sleep, a cement bed, no pillow, and no food affected the reliability of his statement.
The defence then continued with its cross-examination of London Police Service Detective Micah Bourdeau, the interviewing officer. The defence suggested there were early signs showing Veltman's fragile mental status because Veltman told Bourdeau he was shaky from his shock, but otherwise fine.
Veltman told Bourdeau that he felt physically fine, but mentally, it was a lot to digest after Bourdeau asked if he was okay.
The defence then asked Bourdeau repeatedly if Veltman's statements caused "alarm bells" regarding his mental status. Bourdeau said Veltman's statements did not raise any concern over his mindset at the time of interview.
The jury also heard that Veltman said he was trying to come to grips with himself following the hit and run and had previously felt depressed and suicidal.
The defence also implied that Det. Bourdeau used stall tactics after he asked Veltman if he was tired shortly before 3 a.m. June 7, 2021.
Det. Bourdeau noted it's not police protocol to deprive persons in custody of food and drink, adding he was not "exploiting" Veltman's vulnerabilities because he was tired and hungry. Bourdeau also said he wasn't aware if Veltman had any food or drink prior to the interview. Veltman was asked several times if he wanted food, but he refused, the court heard.
The jury heard that Veltman also spoke at length without interruption during the interview, but Bourdeau denied it was a rant, adding the lengthy talk was not normal, but then again, the situation was not normal.
Det. Bourdeau was also asked by the defence if it was appropriate to interview Veltman while he was coming down from magic mushrooms. Bourdeau said he was just gathering information and it wasn't concerning to him.
Veltman also told Bourdeau he had already spoken with a lawyer, but wasn't satisfied with the legal advice. He was asked several times if he wanted a lawyer, but refused every time, saying he was "really confused."
"It's complicated," Veltman told Bourdeau during the interview.
Veltman also told Boudreau during their conversation that the attack was easy, but he did not enjoy it, and did not feel like talking about it "too much" after refusing to answer several of Bourdeau's questions.
"It didn't seem real," said Veltman.
Veltman told Bourdeau he's never been diagnosed with any mental health issues and isn't taking any prescribed medications for a mental health disorder.
Bourdeau repeatedly said he wasn't concerned about Veltman's mental state, even after he was located wearing a helmet and a bullet proof vest, after the Afzaal family was run down down and killed by a pickup truck that jumped the curb while out for a walk on June 6, 2021.
Talat Afzaal, 74, her son Salman Afzaal, 46, his wife Madiha Salman, 44, and their 15-year-old daughter Yumna Afzaal were all killed. Their 9-year-old son at the time was the lone survivor.
Veltman has pleaded not guilty to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.
The jury has the day off on Wednesday. The trial resumes on Thursday at 10 a.m.
