Psychiatrist: Hamp was ‘acutely and severely psychotic' the night he killed his girlfriend
A forensic psychiatrist who assessed Thomas Hamp after fatally stabbed his girlfriend said he was 'acutely and severely psychotic' the night of the attack.
Dr. Shabehram Lohrasbe testified and provided Court of King's Bench a 25-page psychiatric assessment Monday, where he said obsessive compulsive disorder, schizophrenia spectrum disorder and cannabis use disorder were all 'relevant' to Hamp's psychosis but said he couldn't tell how much which of the three contributed.
Hamp is accused of second-degree murder in the death of Emily Sanche on Feb. 20, 2022. Hamp does not deny killing Sanche. His defence lawyer is arguing he is not criminally responsible because he was suffering from a mental disorder at the time of the attack.
Lohrasbe told the court Hamp 'was out of touch with objective reality' when he stabbed Sanche.
'I think the information I have suggests that mental disorder was the primary factor,' Lohrasbe said.
Lohrasbe was hired by the defence to conduct his assessment, which took place over two in-person meetings and one virtual meeting.
With roughly 40 years of experience and hundreds of testimonies in court, Lohrasbe said he had never seen anything like the detailed notes and documentation he also pored over as part of his assessment.
Sanche was studying to obtain her master's degree in counselling and kept detailed notes of Hamp's condition in the weeks leading up to the attack.
Emily Sanche - Thomas Hamp
Emily Sanche (Source: Dignity Memorial)
The court learned during previous testimony that Sanche's cousin Catherine also compiled a detailed list of notes using text messages exchanged with Sanche.
'I have rarely seen something so poignant and so close to the tragic events in question,' Lohrasbe said.
Hamp believed he and Sanche were the targets of a secret police, that he was surrounded by pedophiles and his medication would brainwash and chemically castrate him.
The trial originally began in September 2024, but had to be adjourned because of letters Hamp wrote to his parents while in jail. These letters weren't turned over to police or the court until shortly before the trial began, and Lohrasbe needed to review his assessment before testifying.
A previous batch of letters was used in evidence in the trial, where Hamp wrote he believed his paranoia and ensuing psychosis were caused by the weed he was smoking.
Hamp previously told the court he quit smoking weed two days before the attack after Sanche believed it was contributing to his delusions and asked him to stop.
On Monday, Lohrasbe testified cannabis use and schizophrenia can heighten a mental disorder.
On the night of the attack, Lohrasbe said Hamp's 'moral compass was hijacked by his psychotic episode' and the idea of killing Sanche came abruptly.
According to Lohrasbe's testimony, Hamp believed he needed to kill Sanche and himself to avoid a worse fate.
Hamp believed Sanche would be made to breed and tortured to death. Hamp stabbed himself and recovered in hospital.
The trial continues Tuesday with the Crown cross-examining Lohrasbe.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Vancouver senior shares harrowing story of necklace, bracelet robbery
Hairstylist Richard Jeha was in his home neighbourhood of Kerrisdale when someone walked up to him, spoke very fast, and took his valuable cross necklace and bracelet. The thieves sped off in a car. Vancouver police Const. Tania Visintin said her heart breaks for Jeha. It comes as the Lower Mainland experiences a rise in "distraction thefts."
CBC
2 hours ago
- CBC
Hundreds trek to Iran-Turkey border to flee conflict
After attacks on Iran from Israel and the U.S., many people, including several Canadians, made the long trek to an overland crossing in Turkey to try and get to safety.
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Police hunt for suspect accused of 2 sexual assaults at Bathurst and Dufferin subway stations
Anthony Nguyen, 32, is wanted for choking, two counts of sexual assault and three counts of assault. (Toronto Police Service) Police are searching for a Toronto man in connection with a sexual assault that occurred at Dufferin Subway Station on Sunday. Police say they responded to reports of an assault just after noon. Police say the suspect allegedly assaulted and sexually assaulted the victim after approaching them on the subway platform. The suspect allegedly fled the area on foot shortly after. The victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries, police say. The suspect has been identified as Anthony Nguyen, 32, who is wanted in connection with another sexual assault that occurred on Saturday night at Bathurst Subway Station. Nguyen is wanted for choking, two counts of sexual assault and three counts of assault. He is described to be 5 foot 10, with a medium build and black hair. He was last seen wearing a black shirt, blue jeans, black toque and black and white running shoes. Police are asking anyone with information to contact them at 416-808-7474, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at
