Court hears murder suspect found fit to continue trial

Despite concerns that he was showing signs of psychosis, murder suspect Marlon Ledesma is fit to stand trial, court heard Friday.

Crown prosecutor Todd Buziak told Justice Karen Horner that Ledesma had been ruled mentally able to continue his case following a 30-day assessment at the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatry Centre.

Buziak said Ledesma underwent psychiatric testing after a doctor raised concerns about his mental health during Ledesma’s ongoing trial in September.

“During the course of the trial, Mr. Ledesma was seen by a psychiatrist who found him unfit,” Buziak said. “He has since been found fit.”

Ledesma is charged with firstdegree murder in connection with the death of his cellmate, Alvin Clifford Chinquay, on Sept. 9, 2016, at the Calgary Remand Centre.

Earlier evidence presented in his trial showed video footage purporting to show Ledesma’s attack on Chinquay.

Ledesma is representing himself at trial.

During Ledesma’s trial, issues arose about his mental health of Ledesma.

Psychiatrist Dr. George Duska conducted a brief examination at the Calgary Courts Centre and deemed a full assessment was warranted.

“His thought process suggests he’s experiencing psychosis … an impaired contact with reality,” Duska told Court of Queen’s Bench Justice John McCarthy.

Duska said individuals who are unfit to stand trial may be treatable with medications, which would ultimately make them fit again.

Under the Criminal Code, an individual who doesn’t understand the legal process and can’t instruct counsel to properly represent them can’t face a prosecution.

A date to continue the trial of Ledesma, who remains detained, will be set on Nov. 9.