Profs argue confidential 2007 Magnotta interview should not be released to Crown

MONTREAL – Researchers from the University of Ottawa are trying to prevent the Crown from getting their hands on a six-year-old interview with Luka Rocco Magnotta.

Lawyers representing the academics are arguing in Quebec Superior Court today the interview with a subject known as “Jimmy” should be kept confidential.

The lawyers say Magnotta participated in the study under the condition his interview would remain confidential.

Montreal police want a copy of the interview for evidence they’re still gathering against Magnotta, who is charged with first-degree murder in the slaying and dismemberment of Chinese engineering student Jun Lin.

Police came to know about the interview after a research assistant spoke to them about it following Magnotta’s arrest last year. The assistant told authorities “Jimmy” was in fact Magnotta.

The Crown says a confidentiality agreement with Magnotta is sketchy and they should have access to an audio recording and transcript.

Both are currently sealed while the legal debate plays out.

Meanwhile, Peter Jacobsen, a lawyer representing the two University of Ottawa criminologists, says a promise was made to Magnotta that the interview, conducted during a study on sex-trade workers and their clients, would remain confidential.

Jacobsen says great lengths were taken to protect Magnotta’s identity. His real name doesn’t appear anywhere and he didn’t sign the confidentiality agreement in case his handwriting was recognized.

“It’s important that their research be kept confidential because if it’s not … people will not speak to them in the future about these issues,” Jacobsen said outside the courtroom.

Jacobsen also has doubts about how important a 2007 interview with Magnotta could be given the fact the alleged crimes for which he’s charged occurred in 2012.

Magnotta’s preliminary hearing, which is to determine whether he’ll have to stand trial on the murder charge, resumes on Monday.

Evidence presented at the hearing is subject to a publication ban.

He has pleaded not guilty to five charges and opted for a jury trial.