Accused unfit to stand trial in PATH stabbing, jury rules
Date for first-degree murder trial has been postponed until after the woman receives treatment
A woman charged with a random, stabbing death of a stranger in a Shoppers Drug Mart is mentally unfit to stand trial next month for first-degree murder, an Ontario Superior Court jury decided Tuesday.
The jury took about an hour to reach its decision after a forensic psychiatrist testified Monday that Rohinie Bisesar has schizophrenia and that her current condition would render her incapable of mounting a defence at the trial set for Jan. 8.
Both the Crown and defence agreed and told jurors that Bisesar’s delusions, hallucinations and paranoia — frequently on display during the day-and-a-half-long hearing — would prevent her from receiving a fair trial.
On several occasions, Bisesar, who testified Monday, expressed doubt that the victim is dead.
Outside the downtown courthouse, Bisesar’s lawyer, Robert Karrass, said the jury came to the correct decision.
“Miss Bisesar needs treatment for a significant mental disorder in order to . . . actively engage in this matter.”
Bisesar allegedly attacked Rosemarie Junor, 28, with a knife in a drugstore in the underground PATH on Dec. 11, 2015.
Superior Court Justice John McMahon signed an order that Bisesar receive 60 days of treatment, including receiving anti-psychotic medication, before returning to court again Feb. 9. At that point, the court will determine when another mentalfitness hearing will be convened in front of a new jury. A new trial date of Oct. 29, 2018, has been set.
After the jury delivered its verdict, Bisesar, 41, repeated her request that she represent herself at future pro-
“Miss Bisesar needs treatment for a significant mental disorder . . . ” ROBERT KARRASS DEFENCE LAWYER
ceedings. McMahon told her any such discussion was premature.
An oversized tan jacket hung over Bisesar’s frame while her long dark hair was tangled and matted. Despite making frequent interruptions, she remained calm and polite throughout the hearing, even when making bizarre claims.
Bisesar told McMahon, because she does not believe she is mentally ill, she doesn’t need medication.
Dr. Ian Swayze told the jury Monday that schizophrenia is an incurable illness, the severity of which can “wax and wane” based on treatment, similar to asthma or diabetes.