Allan Schoenborn expressed desire to harm co-patient, doctor testifies

The high-risk designation hearing for child-killer Allan Schoenborn restarted today in B.C. Supreme Court, with one of his psychologists testifying Schoenborn expressed violent thoughts about another patient in recent months.

Schoenbornwas found not criminally responsible for killing his three children in Merrit in 2008 due to mental illnessand was granted day passes last year.

However, the family has pushed forSchoenbornto be labelled high risk, which would see him only be eligible for a review hearing every three years.

Earlier in the trial,the Crown saidSchoenborn had acted aggressively at least 85 times at the hospital, including four episodes of physical aggression against other patients and staff.

• Allan Schoenborn, who killed his 3 children, granted day passes
• Schoenborn 'high-risk accused' hearing underway in B.C. Supreme Court
• Behaviour of mentally ill child-killerdoesn't stick out: psych nurse

'Only engage in therapy until the review board hearing'

Today, Dr.AlanaCook testified in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster.

The licensedpsychologistmet withSchoenbornapproximatelyonce a week beginning in January2016,andsaid he presented himself as warm and engaged,while acknowledginghe struggled with anger management.

"He was interpersonally warm and cognitively engaged. It was easy to work with him in a therapeutic way," she said.

But Cook said that by the end of March, something changed inSchoenborn'sbehaviour. Shetestified he stopped doing his "homework" and relaxation techniques.

In addition, Schoenborn was no longer interested in treatment, and staff had noted an increase in anger and aggression.

Most notably, during one session, she says, he expressed violent ideations and a desire to harm a co-patient.

"His statements began to include that he would only engage in therapy until the review board hearing," added Cook.

Testimony will continue this week from other doctors.

Next week, it's expectedSchoenborn'slawyers will challenge the constitutionality of BillC-14,the bill that put in place the high-risk accused designation.