Toronto Man’s Mental State Central to Trial in Double Murder

UPDATE: A Toronto man accused of shooting two strangers in April 2022 is at the center of a gripping trial, with a forensic psychiatrist testifying that he was likely suffering from a mental disorder at the time of the attacks. Dr. Lisa Ramshaw’s statements, made in a downtown courtroom on October 5, 2023, raise critical questions about the defendant’s mental competence and the nature of his actions during the tragic incidents.

Richard Edwin, aged 43, faces two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Kartik Vasudev and Elijah Mahepath. Both shootings occurred within days of each other, on April 7 and April 9, 2022. Edwin has pleaded not guilty, claiming he should be found not criminally responsible (NCR) due to his mental health issues.

Dr. Ramshaw, who evaluated Edwin in February and March 2025, stated that the evidence supports a defense based on mental illness. She revealed that Edwin, a registered gun owner diagnosed with schizophrenia, had ceased taking his anti-psychotic medication shortly before the shootings. He allegedly expressed fears of an impending “economic collapse” and paranoia related to government persecution, which he believed justified his armed behavior.

In a chilling account, Ramshaw detailed how Edwin, prior to the first shooting, packed a bag with an AR-15 rifle and a handgun, claiming he felt pressured by voices urging him to act. On April 7, 2022, he shot 19-year-old Vasudev outside Sherbourne Station, reportedly after hallucinating that a man told him to pull the trigger. Edwin confessed he believed these commands were real at that moment, stating he acted out of obedience to the voices.

Just two days later, on April 9, Edwin shot 35-year-old Mahepath while selling Black history publications. Ramshaw testified that Edwin felt compelled to follow the voices that directed him to commit the act. After the shooting, he fled the scene but later expressed remorse, acknowledging that he had acted irrationally.

Authorities seized Edwin’s laptop, uncovering videos that appeared to document the moments leading up to the second murder, further complicating the case. Ramshaw confirmed that psychological tests indicated no evidence that Edwin was faking his symptoms of mental illness, asserting he was experiencing active psychosis during the shootings.

The trial, overseen by Superior Court Justice Jane Kelly, continues to unfold, with prosecutors contesting the admissibility of Edwin’s statements to Ramshaw. As the case develops, many are left questioning the intersection of mental health and criminal responsibility in violent acts.

This urgent trial not only highlights the complexities of mental health but also serves as a stark reminder of the human impact of violence in our communities. With significant public interest, further updates are expected as the court proceedings continue.