Judge to decide if Ontario man criminally responsible for killing ex-neighbour [Video]

In a downtown Toronto courtroom Wednesday, Devret Clarke spoke about what prompted him to shoot Gars Kourjakian as he was getting out of his vehicle with his four-year-old daughter more than two years ago.

Kourjakian was a former neighbour of Clarke’s, who lived one storey above him in an apartment building on Birchmount Road, near Sheppard Avenue.

Clarke testified he felt his life and the life of his great-nephew were being threatened and the shooting was a last resort. He explained he self-published more than 30 books before Kourjakian was killed to leave a message of truth and to give clarity to the family for why his actions were justified.

“Because of the steps I’ve taken: speaking to the individual, trying to get clarity, speaking to police, going to hospital,” Clarke said in a rambling speech on Wednesday.

“It’s somebody trying to take my life. I can’t have kids. I love kids, but before I put anybody else’s life in danger …