Accused from standoff makes first appearance

A Medicine Hat judge made the recommendation Thursday that a 38-year-old man involved in a Monday morning standoff with police be evaluated under the Mental Health Act.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to get you some help,” said Judge Ted Fisher during the first court appearance for Justin Legasse since the Monday incident.

The standoff began early Monday when police went to a residence on Cuyler Road to investigate allegations of criminal harassment and uttering threats.

Upon arrival, the accused is alleged to have produced a firearm and threatened to kill himself — leading police to retreat out of the residence, evacuate neighbours and barricade the street for several hours. After several hours of unsuccessful negotiations, police resorted to using a chemical agent that led the man to exiting the residence. He was then arrested without further incident.

The court heard on Thursday that the accused is still experiencing mental health distress.

The Crown stated the accused doesn’t meet the criteria for being not-criminally responsible — which means they have no grounds under the criminal code for them to have him sent to the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatry Centre for assessment. Instead, the request was made — and granted — that the judge direct the accused to be assessed under the mental health act by a psychiatrist at the Remand Centre, at which point it would be possible for him to go to SAFPC.

Legasse faces charges of uttering threats, criminal harassment and multiple firearm related offences.

His next court appearance is set for Feb. 28.