The man accused of murdering two people in Edmonton's Chinatown in 2022 testified on Tuesday that he has no memory of the attacks, blaming drug-induced psychosis for the violence.
Accused claims memory loss
Justin Bone, 34, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of 64-year-old Hung Trang and 55-year-old Phuong Nguyen. The stabbings occurred on May 18, 2022, in the city's Chinatown district, shocking the community and sparking calls for increased safety measures.
During his testimony at the Court of King's Bench in Edmonton, Bone said he had been using methamphetamine and other drugs heavily in the days leading up to the attacks. He told the court that he remembers nothing from the evening of the killings, including the moments when police arrested him at the scene.
"I don't remember doing it," Bone said, according to court reporters. "I was in a psychosis."
Prosecution's case
The Crown has presented evidence including surveillance footage that allegedly shows Bone attacking the victims with a knife. Witnesses testified that Bone was acting erratically before the stabbings, shouting and pacing outside a convenience store. Police found Bone at the scene with blood on his hands and clothing, and he was taken into custody without resistance.
Prosecutors argue that Bone's actions were intentional and that he should be held criminally responsible despite his drug use. They have pointed to the fact that Bone targeted two separate victims in different locations within a short timeframe, suggesting a deliberate plan.
Defense argument
Defense lawyer Sarah Miller contends that Bone was suffering from a drug-induced psychosis that rendered him incapable of forming the intent required for murder. She argued that his long history of substance abuse and mental health issues contributed to his state at the time.
"My client was not in control of his actions," Miller said in her opening statement. "The evidence will show that he was experiencing a severe psychotic episode brought on by methamphetamine use, which impaired his ability to understand what he was doing."
The defense has called a psychiatrist who examined Bone and diagnosed him with substance-induced psychotic disorder. The expert testified that Bone's memory loss is consistent with such a condition.
Community impact
The killings in Edmonton's Chinatown drew widespread attention to safety concerns in the area, which has struggled with crime and homelessness. Community leaders have called for more policing and support services to address the root causes of violence.
Trang and Nguyen were both well-known members of the community. Trang was a retired chef who often helped at a local temple, while Nguyen was a father of two who worked at a nearby restaurant.
The trial is expected to continue for several more weeks, with closing arguments scheduled for late July.
