ST-JEROME, Que. - The wife of a former Quebec cardiologist charged with killing his two young children stormed from the courtroom during final arguments Tuesday.
Isabelle Gaston was reacting to a declaration by her husband's lawyer, who said Guy Turcotte was not rational at the time of the crime.
Lawyer Pierre Poupart said Turcotte loved his children and should be found not guilty by reason of mental illness.
Turcotte is charged with first-degree murder in the 2009 stabbing deaths of his five-year-old son Olivier and three-year-old daughter Anne-Sophie.
He has admitted from the beginning to having caused the deaths but has denied intent.
Gaston, the children's mother, rose from her seat after Poupart's comment and left the room loudly, prompting the judge to adjourn proceedings for a half-hour.
When court resumed, he told jurors to remain impartial and not be influenced by such behaviour.
The defence has been reviewing the testimony of the 39 witnesses heard during the two-month trial.
Once the Crown has made its final pitch, it will be up to an 11-person jury to decide Turcotte's fate.
If found guilty of first-degree murder, Turcotte faces the prospect of life in prison.
