Man who admitted killing brother to have psychiatric assessment

Admitted killer Wayne Clinton Runner will undergo a psychiatric assessment to determine if he understands his legal jeopardy.

Defence lawyer Alain Hepner on Wednesday requested the testing in light of comments his client recently made to psychiatrist Dr. David Tano.

“I’m raising the issue of fitness at this time,” Hepner said.

“I have to,” he said, adding Runner made “vague” comments to the author of a report on his Aboriginal heritage as well.

The lawyer did not say on the court record what Runner’s comments were.

Crown prosecutor Jason Wuttunee agreed an assessment is necessary, saying the comments amounted to Runner “waffling” on his admission of guilt.

Runner pleaded guilty to manslaughter last July 31, in connection with the Dec. 7, 2017, stabbing death of his younger brother, Cory Lance Runner. At the time of the plea, Wuttunee told provincial court Judge Karen Crowshoe how the siblings ended up in a deadly altercation in their northeast home.

He said the brothers got into a verbal argument before Wayne Runner stabbed the victim once in the chest, piercing his heart.

Runner admitted stabbing his brother during the altercation in which the deceased sprayed him with bear spray and punched out a glass window on their front door, court was told.

Wuttunee said the brothers had a history of violence, with police responding to the Rundlehorn Terrace residence a year and a half earlier when Wayne had stabbed Cory in the neck and back, but because they were unco-operative, no charges were laid.

Runner, who is in custody, is back in court Feb. 21.