In a Windsor, Ontario courtroom, the unfolding trial of 22-year-old Nathaniel Veltman continues, seeing him address the judiciary from the stand once more. Standing charges against Veltman include four counts of terrorism-motivated first-degree murder and a single count of terrorism-motivated attempted murder, all linked to the 2021 attack on a Muslim family residing in London, Ontario.
During his testimony, Veltman introduced fragments of his life, establishing his solitude and lack of social acuity. “I didn’t know how to connect with people, I didn’t have any social skills,” Veltman shared, contending that his background was atypical.
The jury heard of Veltman’s unorthodox upbringing, home-schooled by his zealous and strict mother from kindergarten through to the eleventh grade. His testimonials highlighted a secluded childhood restricted to interactions within their Strathroy-based church. He also enlightened listeners on the punitive disciplinary measures his mother employed, which included spankings and elaborate tasks wrapped in religious rhetoric.
As Veltman transitioned into his teens, abnormalities in his behavior started to surface. Echoes of displeasure at his upbringing marked his narrative as he shared his compulsive behavior traits, attributing it to his isolated academic experience. The jury was informed of his mother’s resistance towards secular therapy for Veltman, leading her to rely on Biblical guidance instead.
The defendant elaborated on his tumultuous familial ties during his testimony, recounting his parent’s separation and his estrangement from his family home shortly after his 16th birthday. Despite his hardship, Veltman completed high school while working full time at an egg processing facility.
His relocation to London in 2020 was dictated by his college education in architectural design. Post the pandemic-driven isolation, Veltman began spiraling down a questionable path marked by drunk and impaired driving. Parallely, Veltman shared that his fascination with trucks spurred him to take possession of one, barely three weeks preceding the attack.
While not providing details of the attack, Veltman offered insight into his state of mind near the time of the incident. He stated a “process of decline,” characterized by excessive consumption of psychedelic drugs and fixation with “extreme websites” promoting conspiracy theories. The repercussions of this obsession took a physical toll on his apartment, compelling Veltman to discard his possessions.
Despite a day-long testimony, Veltman’s narrative for the eventful day of June 6, 2021, remained untouched. It was this day that witnessed Veltman, by his own admittance to the jury, driven into the Afzaal family. Veltman’s tale and testimony are slated to resume the next day.
