Suspect in CTrain shoving to undergo psych tests

The woman accused of shoving a Calgary grandmother into the path of a CTrain, leaving her with debilitating, permanent injuries, will undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

Defence lawyer Adriano Iovinelli said Tuesday he has concerns about Stephanie Favel’s fitness to stand trial and asked that she see a doctor on Wednesday.

Favel appeared briefly in Calgary provincial court via closed-circuit TV after her arrest last Thursday in connection with an incident at an LRT station.

Court heard Favel was under a previous release order to report to the forensic assessment outpatient service at Peter Lougheed Centre and could have some mental health issues. As a result, Iovinelli asked that she be examined by a court psychiatrist Wednesday morning to determine if a 30-day fitness assessment is warranted.

Under the Criminal Code, a person who does not understand the court proceedings and is incapable of properly instructing trial counsel is deemed unfit to stand trial.

In such cases, and accused person remains under psychiatric care until they are determined to be fit.

Favel, 35, faces charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault and breach of probation in relation to an incident Thursday afternoon at the Victoria Park/Stampede.

Police said 64-year-old Rozalia Meichl was approached from behind while waiting for an arriving train and shoved onto the tracks.

While the CTrain driver was able to stop before hitting Meichl, the mother of three and grandmother of eight suffered serious, life-altering injuries. Her son Allan Hein said as a result of her injuries, his mother will never walk again.