Magnotta Not Quite Looking Like Himself in Court

Luka Magnotta's first court appearance via video link

Luka Magnotta is scheduled to make his second court appearance via CCTV later today, and it is anticipated that his counsel, Pierre Panaccio, may request a psychiatric evaluation for his client.

Since cameras are not allowed in Canadian courtrooms, we must rely upon the talents of sketch artists to provide us with a glimpse of key moments in each case. The two sketches above were released following Magnotta's first court appearance, and I am sorry to say this, but is this really the best we can do? I realize that nobody wants to further enhance his new-found celebrity status, but this is ridiculous! The first sketch looks like it was produced by a third grader, and the second -- while much better -- looks more like a Chinese Ted Bundy than Luka Magnotta.

I feel that placing cameras in Canadian courtrooms would be an excellent step toward not only transparency, but also fostering a better understanding of the process. As a society, we have been bombarded with a seemingly endless stream of this arse hole's "glamour" shots; I think it's only fitting that we should get to see him silenced, shackled, and in desperate need of a makeover.

Update (June 21 @ 4PM) --->  Luka Magnotta's new lawyer, Luc Leclair, did not request a psychiatric evaluation as was expected. Instead, he made clear his clients wishes for a trial by judge and jury and also requested a publication ban. Magnotta isn't expected back in court now until a preliminary hearing scheduled for March, 2013.


More Information

Magnotta back in court for possible psychiatric evaluation
CBC News (June 21, 2012) -- Featuring a live Twitter feed from the proceedings

Magnotta requests trial by judge and jury
CBC News (June 21, 2012)

Luka Magnotta Arraigned; Pleads Not Guilty

Luka Magnotta arrives in Montreal flanked by police officers

Last night, I watched the eerily silent footage of Luka Magnotta stepping forth from a military jet (chartered just for him) and making his way across the tarmac toward an unmarked police van. 

The man who was recently the focus of an international manhunt appeared calm, relaxed, and perhaps even a   bit smug as he was led toward the waiting vehicle. Physically, he looked nothing like the globe-trotting playboy he fancies himself to be; dressed casually in dark jeans, white sneakers, and a puke green shirt. Presumably, he has been denied access to his make-up kit, for the acne scars he has always taken great pains to hide appeared splashed across his cheeks, which afforded an even more boyish appearance to the accused killer. 

Magnotta appeared in a Montreal courtroom via video link today, and pled not guilty to the numerous charges against him -- including the first-degree murder of Concordia University student Jun Lin. He is expected to be back in court (again via video) this Thursday to discuss a motion for psychiatric evaluation.

CBC News is hosting a live Twitter feed featuring updates on court proceedings, including photos of the bonafide media circus surrounding the court house.

The Canadian military jet that carried Magnotta

and his police handlers home to Montreal

Magnotta Confession on 4Chan?

The good people of Berlin may sleep a little more soundly tonight with the knowledge that the "porno killer," and all-around shite excuse for a human being, Luka Magnotta, is no longer in their midst. 

The Internet Clown who forayed into murder and mayhem is expected to board a plane supplied by the Canadian military later today; Justice Minister Rob Nicholson confirmed that the murder suspect will be accompanied by representatives of the Montreal Police. The plane was expected to take off earlier today, but the flight was delayed due to technical issues. Magnotta will be taken to an undisclosed location, presumably in Montreal where the charges against him were filed.

And so it begins; time for this absurd caricature to face the music. 

Bits and pieces of this raunchy little rat's legacy still continue to surface online. Top Mascara & Murder contributor Donyale shared an astounding Chan Archive thread in which it is believed that Magnotta himself stopped by to make what could be considered a confession of sorts on the popular message board.

Leslie Erin Mahaffy

Leslie Erin Mahaffy

July 5, 1976 ~ June 16, 1991

Rest in peace

Police Seize "Unedited" Magnotta Video

Magnotta poses with cut-rate facsimiles of horror legends

Freddy Kruger and Michael Myers

QMI reported that police have seized an unedited version of the virulent real-life murder video 1 Lunatic 1 Icepick. Montreal police Commander Ian Lafreniere confirmed the report, but would not say how it was obtained. 

An unnamed source indicated that an attempt had been made to delete the video, but computer experts employed by police were able to retrieve it, along with a number of other files. 

The video reputedly contains an additional five minutes of footage, and contains all the presumably-horrific background noises that weren't audible in the version that was posted online. New Order's True Faith had been added to the online clip, supposedly in homage to the film version of Bret Easton Ellis' American Psycho.

In other news, Lafreniere reported that police have ruled out any possible links between Luka Magnotta and three unsolved murder-and-dismemberment cases in Los Angeles, Miami, and New York. 

eBay Pulls Magnotta Chair Off Auction Block

"Porno Killer Chair"

Berlin tabloid BZ reported that a friend of the owner of the Internet cafe where Luka Magnotta was arrested in Germany put the chair that the suspected "porno killer" had been sitting in up for sale on eBay. The item was pulled from the auction site's servers within hours of the posting, but not before bidders had already pledged over one thousand Euro for the unlikely piece of murder memorabilia.

The item was described as follows:

Magnotta was sitting in the chair calmly and unsuspecting, reading articles about himself on the web. A little later, the [alleged] murderer and cannibal was arrested thanks to the courageous behaviour of K.A.

I offer what is, outwardly, an admittedly rather unimpressive office chair, but one that is guaranteed to be an unbeatable 'conversation piece' in your home.

I am certain that this item will still sell, with or without eBay's assistance. As creepy as I find the notion of trading in "murderabilia," I don't really see how it's much different from the collection and trade of war relics. We tend to view folks who collect military memorabilia as historians, while branding those who collect Charlie Manson merchandise as morally corrupt nogoodniks. 

Killing is killing, and death is death. Why is it so hard for us to admit, as a society, that some of the bloodiest pages in our history books are also the most fascinating?

Magnotta: "My life is in danger and I need your help."

Magnotta: "Here is the photo of my abuse."

The massive amount of press that unrepentant narcissist Luka Magnotta is currently receiving has been under fire from the international community. So, for a change of pace, I wanted to share this photo of the suspected murderer not as he would like to be seen, but as anyone who has been following his appalling behaviour would like to see him.

Business Insider published an interesting article detailing Magnotta's relationship with a New York criminal defense lawyer named Romeo Salta. While laying low in a 10th Avenue apartment, Magnotta contacted Salta seeking legal advice, claiming that his life was in double-danger. 

He explained that a number of animal rights groups were hunting him in connection with a series of kitty-snuff videos that had been attributed to him, and that an abusive prostitution client named "Manny" had forced him to perform a host of demeaning acts -- including the kitten murders, which were filmed and posted online.