Board finds man unfit for trial in fatal stabbing

COQUITLAM — The British Columbia Review Board has again found Gabriel Klein unfit to stand trial on account of a mental disorder for the murder of an Abbotsford high school student.

The board released its decision saying Klein will continue to be detained at the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital in Coquitlam.

Klein’s lawyer Martin Peters says it’s expected his client will receive a new medication and could make further court appearances if his mental state improves, but it’s uncertain if or when that could happen.

The board’s disposition says Klein’s detention could be reviewed by Jan. 15, 2019.

Klein is charged with the second-degree murder of a 13-year-old girl and the aggravated assault of a second girl following a stabbing at Abbotsford Secondary School in November 2016.

A B.C. Supreme Court justice ruled in April that Klein was unfit for trial but at a hearing held last week in Coquitlam, Klein told the B.C. Review Board that he wants to go to court as soon as possible.

The 22-year-old has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and told the board panel that he remains plagued by voices “every hour of the day.”

The Crown, defence and hospital all agreed during the hearing that Klein is currently unfit to stand trial and needs more treatment.