Court orders mental-health assessment
A man accused in a violent attack in central Edmonton will be assessed for his fitness to stand trial and for criminal responsibility, a provincial court judge ordered Tuesday.
Abdulahi Hasan Sharif is the lone suspect in a Sept. 30 rampage that included an attack on a police officer and four pedestrians.
Defence lawyer Karanpal Aujla asked the court for the assessments, saying he had “significant” concerns about Sharif ’s mental health.
A fitness-to-stand-trial assessment determines whether a person is able to understand and participate in a court process — a case could be adjourned if the accused is found unfit, but continued at a later time if they become well.
The not criminally responsible assessment determines if at the time of the offence, the person had the capacity to understand his or her actions, to know right from wrong, or had the ability to control his or her behaviour.
During the brief hearing Tuesday, Sharif appeared by video conference from the Edmonton Remand Centre. He appeared to listen calmly to the proceedings, nodding as a Somali interpreter repeated what the lawyers and judges were saying.
Sharif, 30, faces five counts of attempted murder in connection with a rampage where a car struck Edmonton police Const. Mike Chernyk, who was then stabbed, and a rented U-Haul truck ran down four pedestrians near Jasper Avenue.
Sharif is also charged with four counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm while trying to evade police, and one count each of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Speaking outside the courthouse, Aujla said the case remains in the “preliminary” stages.
“From a review of the initial disclosure, it appears to me that there certainly may be issues that pertain to mental health,” Aujla said. “I think it’s in everyone’s best interest to actually know what the extent of that is.”
Aujla said some of his concerns stem from conversations with a person who is “familiar” with Sharif.
Aujla said he will likely wait for the results of the mental health assessments before determining if he will seek a bail hearing for his client.
The case has been adjourned until Dec. 13.
Though Edmonton Police Chief Rod Knecht initially said that Sharif was also arrested under terrorism offences, no such charges have been filed.