Emmanuel Kahsai playing 'bat-shit crazy card,' says Selma Alem's friend

Friends of a Calgary woman brutally killed in her home believe her son is faking psychiatric illness to escape criminal responsibility.

Emmanuel Kahsai went on another bizarre rant before Provincial Court Judge Jim Ogle on Monday before being ordered to undergo three more weeks of psychiatric assessment.

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Kahsai, 30, is charged with first-degree murderin the death of his mother, 54-year-oldSelmaAlem,and second-degree murder in the death of 25-year-old JulieTran,whose bodies were discovered in Alem'sCoventry Hillshome in October.

"We know him, he grew up around us," said Alem's best friend Susan Hills."I think he's playing the bat-shit crazy card."

At several points Kahsai interrupted Ogle to ask the judge if he understood telepathy.

"I'm programmed," said Kahsai. "Each and every one of you have different coordinates."

"Telepathyhave you heard of it, yes or no?"

This was Kahsai's second time ranting about conspiracies and his second time refusing to consent to being assessed by doctors at the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatry Centre.

In the months leading up to her death, court documents showed that Alem was scared of her son and hadsoughtprotection against him.

Kahsai will be back in court on Aug. 8 after the assessment has been completed. A preliminary inquiry has been set for November.

Hills does not believe Kahsai will be found mentally unfit to stand trial.

"We wake up everyday without them," said Hills of Alem and Tran. "Sel and I spent a lot of time together, I spend my time at the cemetery now."

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