Fredericton shooter communicated with YouTube 'conspiracy theorist' and tried to expose 'demons' online - Action News
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New Brunswick

Fredericton shooter communicated with YouTube 'conspiracy theorist' and tried to expose 'demons' online

Matthew Raymond's murder trial heard Tuesday that he started communicating with aYouTube conspiracy theorist by email and was exposingfollowers of the channel as "demons."

Cpl. Aaron Gallagher testified he recovered thousands of images and videos from Matthew Raymond's devices

A collage of four people
Victims of the shootings, from left to right: Fredericton police constables Robb Costello, 45, and Sara Burns, 43, and civilians Donnie Robichaud, 42, and Bobbie Lee Wright, 32. (CBC)

Matthew Raymond's murder trial heard Tuesday that he started communicating with aYouTube conspiracy theorist by email and was exposingfollowers of the channel as "demons."

Crown witness Cpl. Aaron Gallaghercontinuedtestimony under cross-examination in the quadruple murder trial in Fredericton.

Gallagher testified Monday thathe recovered thousands of images and videos from Raymond's devices after he shot and killed Donnie Robichaud, Bobbie Lee Wright and Fredericton constables Robb Costello and Sara Burnson Aug. 10, 2018.

Raymond, 50, has admitted to being the shooter but pleaded not guilty. His defence lawyers are arguing he was not criminally responsible for the crime on account of a mental illness.

Gallagher told the court earlier that he found videos of Raymond firing a shotgun at a target in the woods and complaining of noise in his apartment, as well as "conspiracy theory" videos and images.

Gallagher testifiedhe couldn't agree that Raymond went out in public and exposed or pointed out demons, but he would agree that Raymond did that on the internet.

Court was shown images of people Raymond found online.The images had titles that included the word "evil eyes" and "snaketongue"and showeddots under their eyes or around their mouth.

The court was also shown a one-hour-long videomade by aYouTube conspiracy theoristwho identifieshimself as Rob Lee. The videobegins with the narrator denying space exists.

"If Real, why use CGI?" one caption says about images of a constellation.

Mathew Raymond being brought into the Fredericton Convention Centre for the continuation of his trial last week. (Hadeel Ibrahim/CBC)

Near the end of the video the narrator says fallen angels and demons are on earth, and they "aren't like us."

"It may be a politician It may even be the woman down the street."

The video narrator identifiedpop-culture iconsandpoliticians as demons, including former U.S. President Barack Obama and actor David Duchovny, bypointing at their eyes or tongues.

"These serpents and monsters are everywhere and they are out to deceive you," the narrator says in the video. "Trying to destroy you and your family."

The narrator also says the "flood of people" and immigrants are brought on by the devil.

Exchanges with a 'conspiracy theorist'

A 33-page documentof email exchanges showed conversations between Raymond andRob Lee, Gallagher testified. In November 2017Rob LeeaskedRaymond to question someone about the occult symbols in a picture of theirs.

Rob Lee also said, "I'm aware that serpents, shills and fake Christians are on my channel ... I look forward to this list, I can not wait."

The document shows Raymond sending Rob Leea list of usernames and names. Justice Larry Landry has imposed a publication ban on any names or usernames used on social media and YouTube, aside from Rob Lee's.

Defence lawyer Nathan Gorham presented to Gallagher a narrative of the relationship between Rob Lee and Raymond deteriorating.

A screenshot from Feb 8, 2018, had writing added in blue: "Rob Lee has back tracked against what it's all about. Showing people to be aware of demons protects them."

Another screenshotshows Raymond had written in blue under aYouTube comment by Rob Lee: "Oh really ... Can you tell a demon from a pic ANYMORE?"

The jury in the Matthew Raymond trial was shown multiple screenshots with mathematical calculations written on them using a computer program. (Submitted by Court of Queen's Bench)

After prompting from Gorham, Gallagher testified that"it appears that [Raymond]was trying to determine who would be a demon or not on the internet," buthe"can't tell if he's doing it for Rob Lee or contesting Rob Lee."

Screenshotsalso show Raymond accusing another YouTube user of being a demon. Following that, Rob Lee sentan email toRaymond, saying "You are seeing demons every place man."

"You dove on that girls after I had said she's welcome in the channel."

In response, Raymond says, "I know they are all over as I have seen them," and calls hima "liar" and "hypocrite."

The court also saw two videos of Raymond at237 Brookside Dr. He spoke to two people who were standing in a moving truck, and he put his arm around a boy who appears to be in his teens and smiled.

The trial will continue Thursday after a one-day break on Wednesday becauseone of the lawyers has a prior engagement.