B.C. man accused of killing student not fit to stand trial: court

NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. – A man accused of murdering a student at a high school in Abbotsford, B.C., has been found unfit to stand trial because of his mental state.

B.C. Supreme Court Justice Heather Holmes said Friday that the variability of Gabriel Klein's mental illness must be taken into account.

Klein is accused of the second-degree murder of 13-year-old Letisha Reimer and the aggravated assault of another Grade 9 student who was also attacked in the lobby of Abbotsford Senior Secondary in November 2016.

Klein's psychiatrist, Dr. Marcel Hediger, told the court earlier this week that his patient was delusional and at times his disordered thinking may make him unfit to stand trial.

Holmes said she took that testimony into account when making her decision.

"Mr. Klein has a right to be present during the entirety of the trial. This requires more than just physical presence."

The judge said Klein would also need to be able to follow the proceedings and communicate with his lawyer.

Hediger testified that he believes his patient has schizophrenia and is actively psychotic.

He said Klein thinks the CIA is following him and trying to kill him and that correctional staff are trying to poison him through his medication.

Crown lawyer Rob Macgowan told the judge on Thursday that if the court accepts evidence establishing that there are times Klein isn't fit for trial, then the Crown was not opposed.

Klein's trial had been set to start May 7.

The judge has ordered him detained in the forensic psychiatric hospital.

The British Columbia Review Board will re-evaluate Klein's mental fitness within 90 days. If the board determines he's fit at that time, he'll be returned to court for another fitness hearing.