MONTREAL - A Quebec doctor who admitted to killing his two children but was found not criminally responsible is appearing before a mental health review board Friday.
Guy Turcotte's hearing was abruptly cancelled last August after a mysterious letter written by his sister prompted a delay in the case.
The five-member panel will eventually decide whether Turcotte should be freed, released with conditions, or remain detained in a psychiatric institution with a yearly review of his file.
There was widespread outrage in Quebec when the jury verdict came down last July, with citizens holding peaceful protests in front of courthouses.
Turcotte admitted causing the Februray 2009 deaths but denied intent.
His sensational murder trial heard he stabbed his five-year-old son Olivier and three-year-old daughter Anne-Sophie a total of 46 times.
Following an emotional trial that included experts disagreeing over whether he was in control of his actions, jurors finally found Turcotte not criminally responsible in the deaths.
The Crown has announced it intends to appeal the verdict.
Friday's highly anticipated review-board hearing remains top news in the province.
Turcotte testified at the trial he could only remember flashes of the evening of the deaths and that he was devastated by the end of his marriage.
The panel's written decision is expected at a later date.
The hearing will take place under heavy security at a mental health institution in Montreal, where Turcotte is housed until the board decides what to do with him.
The letter writer who forced a delay in the hearing was later revealed to be Turcotte's own sister, who claimed in media interviews he had previously made threats.
