Montreal man who committed triple murder declared not criminally responsible

A Montreal man who stabbed his parents and grandmother to death has been found not criminally responsible.

Quebec Superior Court Judge Annie Émond ruled on Thursday morning that she agreed with a joint motion by the Crown and the defence.

They argued in December that Arthur Galarneau, 22, was not criminally responsible for the crimes because he was suffering from mental disorders at the time of the triple murder.

Galarneau stabbed his mother, Mylène Gingras, 53, his father, Richard Galarneau, also 53, and his grandmother, Francine Gingras-Boucher, 75, to death in March 2023.

Last month, a psychiatrist testified before the court and concluded that Galarneau was suffering from schizophrenia at the time of the murders and was experiencing delusions, hallucinations, and psychotic symptoms that prevented him from distinguishing right from wrong.

The prosecution now wants to have Galarneau declared a high-risk offender, which would limit his ability to return to society and when he is released from a psychiatric hospital.

The defence and the prosecution have scheduled that debate for Feb. 23.

- With files from The Canadian Press and CTV News Montreal’s Stephane Giroux.