Richard Edwin knew, with chilling clarity, the weight of his actions. He deliberately concealed his hunt for strangers on the streets of Toronto from those closest to him, anticipating their disapproval. He feared they would see it as a self-destructive path, a rejection of a conventional life.
This awareness, according to forensic psychiatrist Dr. Alina Iosif, is a crucial detail. Despite his documented schizophrenia, Edwin understood the fundamental wrongness of taking a life – both legally and morally. This understanding casts a long shadow over the senseless shootings of Kartik Vasudev, a 19-year-old international student, and Elijah Mahepath, 35.
Dr. Iosif testified that Edwin wasn’t simply a vessel for his delusions. He was actively assessing his actions, recognizing that society – including his own family – would condemn them. He made a conscious choice to follow the commands he believed he received, even while acknowledging their inherent evil.
Edwin described being directed by the “body language community,” a network of unseen allies who communicated instructions to combat white supremacists. He claimed these signals compelled him to kill, yet he simultaneously confessed to knowing his victims were innocent. “I was just obeying what I heard,” he reportedly told psychiatrists, adding, “In general, wrong to kill an innocent person. But in this case, it wasn’t because I was told by the man on the tree stump.”
Now, under medication, a profound sense of regret has surfaced. Edwin, haunted by the devastation he caused, confessed to feeling foolish and acknowledged the irreparable damage he inflicted. “I’ve destroyed two families… if rational I would never do that,” he admitted, a stark contrast to the conviction that drove his earlier actions.
Dr. Iosif argued that Edwin wasn’t an automaton, blindly following orders. He retained the capacity for independent thought. His assertion that he would *not* obey commands to harm a woman or child, she believes, demonstrates a disturbing level of control even within his psychosis. He wasn’t simply lost to his illness.
Prior to the shootings, Edwin lived a surprisingly independent life. Diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2010, he supported himself by selling self-published magazines, maintained relationships with friends and a girlfriend, and had no prior run-ins with the law. He wasn’t a recluse, lost in the depths of his illness.
Dr. Iosif emphasized that Edwin wasn’t defined by his illness. He was a functioning individual who had managed to build a life for himself, despite years of untreated mental health challenges. He wasn’t simply a “vegetable,” passively existing, but a man capable of navigating the world.
This assessment sharply contrasts with the opinion of Dr. Lisa Ramshaw, the defense’s expert witness, who believes Edwin should be found not criminally responsible due to his mental disorder. This designation would place him under the jurisdiction of the Ontario Review Board, rather than face a life sentence.
Dr. Ramshaw’s testimony revealed a different narrative: Edwin claimed he acted to prevent white supremacists from bombing St. Lucia, his father’s home, and Jamaica, where his mother frequently resided. He feared for his parents’ lives, believing his actions were a necessary evil. However, Edwin never shared this reasoning with Dr. Iosif.
Dr. Iosif also noted a troubling coincidence: just a day before the murders, Edwin inquired about importing firearms to Jamaica and researched gun shops online. This suggests a premeditation that extends beyond simply responding to voices. He was actively preparing for violence.
Edwin had begun accumulating weapons in 2017, initially citing concerns about economic collapse and potential riots. He carried a loaded gun daily, claiming it was for self-defense. When questioned about the necessity of arming himself, his response was chillingly detached. “There are a lot of crazy people in the city,” he stated, a grim reflection of his own distorted reality.
