Witnesses for the defence are painting a picture of a very complex personality at the Richard Bain murder trial Monday.

Bain is charged with murder in the 2012 shooting outside the metropolis club the night of the Parti Quebecois election win.

A close friend and former colleague of Bain’s took the stand to say that the accused’s personality changed dramatically in 2009.

Alain Goyer worked at a copper refinery and processing plant with Bain, and said that as a supervisor foreman, Bain was very popular. Everyone liked him, he was easy to talk to and reach out to, testified Goyer, adding that Bain was one of the best foremen on the job.

In 2008, there was a lockout at the CCR refinery, and after it ended, Goyer said Bain had seemed more distant at work and retired soon after.

It was around that time that friends and neighbours noticed changes in Bain. Goyer testified that his friend was talkative, but distant, and that his body language and speech changed dramatically. He also said he was paranoid of a possible H1N1 pandemic, and that his behavior bordered on delirium.

Bain’s former neighbour Roger David also testified, confirming that Bain’s character changed in 2009.

David testified that Bain became deeply religious and at the same time spent huge amounts of money, well above his revenues, and always seemed to have ambitious ideas. David said Bain became “over the top.”

Finally on Monday, Bain’s his brother Robert Bain testified he too saw changes in his brother's personality, which he blamed on the anti-depressants he was taking at the time.

The defence is also seeking to show Bain never showed any animosity towards francophones.

When Bain was arrested after the 2012 shooting, he told people around him that the anglophones were "waking-up" in response to the PQ's election

When asked if Bain ever had a problem with francophones, all four witnesses stated that that was never the case, and that Bain never came across as a language rights defender, noting that in fact, the majority of his friends and coworkers were francophones he got along well with.

As the defence continues to lay out its case, the trial appears to be on schedule. The defence will call a number of witnesses this week, including psychiatrists who will testify to Bain’s mental state.

The trial could end sometime next week, when it will be placed into the hands of the jury for deliberation.

Bain, 65, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of lighting technician Denis Blanchette outside the Metropolis as former Quebec premier Pauline Marois was inside celebrating her party's election victory.

He also faces three charges of attempted murder and two arson-related counts. He has pleaded not guilty to all six.