Murder suspect shows signs of psychosis: doctor
Trial of man accused of killing cellmate delayed for full psychiatric assessment
Suspected murderer Marlon Ledesma is showing signs of psychosis and may be unfit to stand trial, a psychiatrist testified Wednesday in the middle of his trial.
Dr. George Duska said he met with Ledesma on Wednesday morning to determine whether he needed a 30-day assessment on whether he understands his legal peril.
Duska said he had difficulty getting the accused killer to focus on their discussion, as he rambled about knowing the Queen, signing treaties, land claims, and artifacts at the Glenbow Museum.
“I wasn’t able to fully follow (him),” the psychiatrist told Court of Queen’s Bench Justice John McCarthy.
“I found it very difficult to redirect Mr. Ledesma to the purpose of my assessment,” he said.
“His thought process suggests he’s experiencing psychosis ... an impaired contact with reality.”
Ledesma is charged with firstdegree murder in the killing of his cellmate, Alvin Clifford Chinquay, on Sept. 9, 2016. Earlier evidence presented in the trial showed video footage purporting to show Ledesma’s attack on Chinquay.
Duska, who in March 2017 determined Ledesma was fit to stand trial, said fitness in mental health patients can change from time to time.
“It’s very time-sensitive,” he said.
The doctor said while Ledesma understands the charge he’s facing, one of the requirements for fitness, he doesn’t comprehend the jeopardy he’s in.
“I do not believe he would be able to understand the consequences.”
He said Ledesma appears to be “suffering a delusional disorder.”
Duska recommended Ledesma be sent for a full 30-day evaluation at the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatry Centre.
Crown prosecutor Todd Buziak and lawyer George Sirois, who has been appointed to represent the court in the trial of Ledesma, who is self-represented, asked McCarthy to order a full assessment.
Duska said individuals who are unfit to stand trial may be treatable with medications, which would ultimately make them fit again.
Ledesma had earlier undergone a separate assessment by Dr. Yuri Metalitza to determine if he was not criminally responsible by reason of a mental disorder at the time of his alleged crime.
Metalitza found Ledesma was not suffering a medical condition at the time that would have prevented him from understanding what he was doing was wrong.
On Tuesday, the Crown closed its case. Before Ledesma determined whether he would embark on calling defence evidence, Sirois requested that he be seen by a psychiatrist.
The case returns to court Oct. 26, to either schedule a full fitness hearing or a resumption of the trial.
His thought process suggests he’s experiencing psychosis ... an impaired contact with reality