The 21-year-old Montreal man accused in the 2016 slaying of a Maxi supermarket clerk testified that the young women who wanted to kill him — including the victim — followed him to the Congo where he was visiting with family in the year prior to the killing.
Randy Tshilumba took the stand for the second day at his trial for the first degree murder of 20-year-old Clémence Beaulieu-Patry, who was stabbed to death while she working at the Maxi on Papineau in St. Michel.
Tshilumba has already testified that he killed Beaulieu-Patry because he believed she and her friends were trying to kill him.
His lawyers are trying to prove Tshilumba was suffering from mental illness at the time.
Tshilumba testified he went to the Congo in December 2015 with family members to visit his father and other relatives.
Tshilumba testified the young women knew he was there and followed him there.
Tshilumba said he was anxious during the month he was in the Congo but didn't talk much about it to his family because he was ashamed and stressed out.
Tshilumba said he was even anxious when he returned to Canada because the women followed him back home.
Tshilumba also testified he told one sister and his brother about his problems with the women and that they wanted to kill him.
Tshilumba said he and his sister broke down and cried during what he called "intense" conversations, explaining he wasn't used to talking about his personal problems.
Tshilumba testified he's had a stuttering problem since a young age that made him the target of bullies at school, prompting thoughts of suicide in high school. Tshilumba said he contemplated suicide again three months before Beaulieu-Patry was killed.
Tshilumba's lawyers began their defence yesterday after a week and a half of evidence presented by the crown.