Son of Inuk artist unfit to stand trial in her slaying
Suspect struggles with schizophrenia, is increasingly suspicious, doctor says
The day after Jed Ootoova was arrested in the April killing of his mother, even grieving friends said he would never have meant her any harm and believed it was an accident.
Regardless, Ootoova — who struggles with schizophrenia — was charged with second-degree murder in the death of his mother, famed Inuk artist Abigail Ootoova.
But for now, there will be no prosecution in the case against Ootoova because his mental health issues are so serious that he has been found unfit for trial.
Ontario Court Justice Heather Perkins-McVey made the ruling on Dec. 20, after a fitness hearing in October and after reviewing the latest update from the psychiatrist treating Ootoova. The psychiatrist reported that Ootoova, 30, was not only still unfit to stand trial in the death of his 54-year-old mother but that his mental state had deteriorated and he is increasingly suspicious.
THOUGHT DISORDER
Ootoova had a basic understanding of roles in court but no idea about the consequences of a not guilty plea or of the trial process. When asked what he was hoping for at his next court date, Ootoova said freedom, the psychiatrist reported.
The patient, who also suffers from thought disorder, is being treated with antipsychotic medication with the Crown’s hopes that he’ll be fit enough one day to face trial in the killing of his mother.
Ootoova has not allowed doctors to speak to any of his relatives to gather background on his past, and has become almost fearful of the doctors trying to help him.
Because he’s been found unfit for trial, he remains in treatment at hospital under the authority of the Ontario Review Board, which oversees the future of those found unfit to stand trial.
Neighbours and friends described both mother and son as beautiful people who made their home in a Vanier apartment. One said on an interview a day after the killing that they loved one another but fought over the gifted artist’s drinking.
The trouble began at their Jolliet Avenue apartment after a heated argument that turned deadly. It was Jed Ootoova who called 911 at 4:44 p.m. Saturday, April 6.
Abigail Ootoova was rushed to hospital where she was pronounced dead. Her son was arrested at home.
The Ootoovas are originally from Pond Inlet, about 500 kilometres north of Pangnirtung, a hamlet on Baffin Island in Nunavut.
Abigail Ootoova’s work — stencils and watercolours — tackled daily life, nature and social issues.
One piece, titled Broken Home and depicting, in turn, “a broken heart, a wounded body, and an injured soul,” was used in an exhibit of art by northern artists exploring spousal abuse. It was cited in an academic treatise on design and the “catastrophic” impact of colonialization and residential schools on Inuit, including the scourge of suicide.
In another work, Mother and Child, a grinning youngster stands on a chest so he can look into his mother’s smiling face.