Suspect had was issued arrest warrant for assault prior to killing
A British Columbia man accused of killing an RCMP mental health and outreach officer in 2022 has been found mentally unfit to stand trial.
B.C. Supreme Court Justice Michael Tammen ruled that the accused, Jongwon Ham, does not currently have the capacity to participate in his own defence because of a worsening psychotic disorder, CityNews reported.
The decision came as Ham’s trial was set to begin. The court instead convened a fitness hearing to assess whether he understood the charge against him and could instruct counsel.
Psychosis undermines ability to participate in defence
Justice Tammen said Ham’s psychosis is deteriorating and that “his delusions prevent him from making rational decisions” about the court process, according to CityNews.
Two psychiatrists testified that Ham suffers from a psychotic disorder, and both told the court they agreed he is unfit to stand trial at this time.
Under Canadian law, a finding of unfitness does not address guilt or innocence. It focuses on whether the accused can understand the court proceedings and communicate with a lawyer.
Fatal stabbing of RCMP mental health worker
The case involves the fatal stabbing of Const. Shaelyn Yang, a mental health and outreach worker with the RCMP, who was killed on Oct. 18, 2022, in Burnaby, B.C.
Yang was working in Broadview Park when she approached a man in a tent and was fatally stabbed. The incident shocked policing and mental health communities and renewed attention on the risks faced by officers and outreach personnel engaged in frontline mental health work.
Prior charges and outstanding warrant
A British Columbia judge issued a warrant for Ham’s arrest a month before the incident.
He was charged with assaulting a man and resisting a Vancouver police officer in February 2021. Ham was released on bail in March 2022 and allegedly assaulted someone else just days later.
