Despite mental health concerns, accused murderer Hari Pal will go to trial

Despite serious concerns about the mental health of accused murderer Hari Pal, he has been found fit to stand trial on the recommendation of forensic psychiatrist Dr. David Tano.

Pal was supposed to go on trial in September, but his lawyerAndreOuelletteidentified potential issues with Pal's mentalhealth and Crown Prosecutor JoeMercierconsented to an assessment.

• Hari Pal's murder trial cancelled over mental health concerns

SanjulaDevi, 36, and her friendFahmidaVelji-Visram, 29, were stabbed to death in front of Devi and Pal's daughteron May 4, 2014.

Velji-Visram was reportedlyhelping Devi gather some of her things from the home where police had been called the month before in relation to a domestic argument.

Pal fled the scene and was arrested shortly after, but he had to be taken to hospital with self-inflicted injuries.

On Monday, Tano testified there were times during his 60-day examination of Pal whenthe 55-year-old was "extremely confused" and Tano said he had "significant concerns" about the accused's mental health.

One of the problems identified by Tano is that Pal has extreme fluctuations in his mental state and his diagnosis is "still in question."

Pal's IQ of 58 means he also has an intellectual impairment and there are concerns hehas a neurocognitive disorderwith dementia-likesymptoms which may be progressive.

In time that could render him incapable of understanding the court process, meaning he would then be mentally unfit to stand trial.

The trial had beenrescheduled forDec. 4, 2017, but next month lawyers will try to book an earlier date.

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