Once outside, he grabbed his friend and punched him in the head.

He went to a bunkie and emerged a short time later carrying a large knife. John attempted to intervene and was stabbed. Once on the ground, Adam flipped his father over and continued stabbing him in the torso and head before decapitating him with a knife.

Guests fled, barricading themselves in the cottage and in the bunkie, calling police. Neighbours across the bay heard the sounds — howling like an animal, a wolf or something not human. They saw him stabbing or sawing at the body of John Kehl. Some witnesses observed him biting the body.

He picked up the head and ran across the shoreline, throwing it and what was believed to be the knife into the lake. He ran and leapt off the dock shouting the name of his girlfriend at the time, screaming, “I love you” and “I am free.”

When police arrived by boat to the water-access-only property, they saw Adam rocking back and forth above his father’s body.

Police shot him with two rubber bullets when he refused to co-operate; he seemed oblivious to these shots. They deployed a conducted energy weapon. When asked his name he responded "Adam, the Devil" in a voice different than his own.

At the OPP detachment, he was aware of what he had done. He was emotional and apologetic. He didn’t want to cause harm. Didn’t mean to do it.

In addition to the cannabis use, he was taking a prescription of 20 milligrams of escitalopram, a medication for depression. He was transferred the following day to the Central North Correctional Centre, where he acknowledged he had killed and decapitated his father and that he could see himself doing it and couldn’t control himself.

From the time he arrived at the detention centre until today, there have been no further psychotic episodes, court heard.

The 32-year-old spoke eloquently before the court reading from a list of apologies to those he put through this “terrifying and traumatic experience.” He made eye contact with many as he named individuals, letting them know he understands if he never sees or hears from them again, but he would welcome them if they wanted to reach out as part of their healing process. “I will be there.”

“I never imagined I could take away someone’s life,” he said. “Especially someone I love.”

He said the actions were not representative of the love he had for this father, calling him a man who went above and beyond for family and friends. He said his father died as he lived, as a protector and a hero.

“I love you Dad. Thank you for everything,” he said. “I miss you and I pray that you are at peace.”

He apologized to his mother for having to live out the rest of her days without the love of her life by her side. He also apologized to first responders and others who had to witness that day.

It was an apology Justice Fuest accepted as sincere and heartfelt before accepting the joint submission of five years jail less the 23 months and 14 days he has been in custody.

Adam said he was unaware cannabis could lead to such a thing and, had he known, he would never have started, and he commits to his penitentiary sentence and after his release to his recovery. It was a promise he made to himself and now to the court and those he loves.

“Never again,” he said. “Nothing I ever do can make up for what happened.”