Alberta judge orders additional psychiatric exam for man accused of killing doctor

An Alberta judge has ordered another psychiatric exam for a man accused of killing a family doctor at a medical clinic in central Alberta.

Deng Mabiour is charged with first-degree murder in last month's killing of Dr. Walter Reynolds at the Village Mall Walk-In Clinic in Red Deer.

Last week, provincial court judge Bert Skinner ordered a five-day psychiatric assessment to determine if Deng Mabiour is fit to stand trial.

On Monday, Skinner learned that Mabiour has not been co-operating with staff at the Calgary psychiatric centre and has so far not been seen by a doctor. He also asked Mabiour a number of times if he had obtained a lawyer.

"You're not answering my question," Skinner said. "And it appears the psychiatric assessment is having similar problems with you while you're on the unit while they're addressing the court's application to see if you're fit to stand trial."

The judge then ordered an additional 30 days to complete the assessment.

• 'I'm sick. I need a doctor,' man charged with murder of Red Deer physician tells court

During the Monday hearing, Mabiour, 54, appeared via video from Calgary, wearing a blue jail jumpsuit and sitting on the floor with his back against a wall.

He said he's concerned about being forced to have a psychiatric assessment.

"I do not want to discuss this. First of all, I want to discuss the concept of my handlers considering I'm crazy and needing treatment," Mabiour said, while constantly interrupting the judge.

The fitness assessment is supposed to determine if the accused understands court proceedings, the charge he faces and whether he can properly instruct a lawyer.

• Half-brother of accused in Red Deer doctor's killing points to history of mental illness in family

When the judge ordered him to contact legal aid to get a lawyer as soon as possible,he called legal aid "stupid" and said, "I'm good enough to talk in the court. Why should I have a lawyer represent me?"

Mabiour also talked about the water quality at the psychiatric facility and that it was "pathetic" he was having to stay there longer.

"That is a good idea? I don't want the water. It has COVID."

The case is scheduled to return to court Oct. 14.

• Doctor killed in Red Deer attack was targeted by assailant, RCMP say

Last week, Mabiour went on several tirades against Skinner,, demanding to know why he wouldn't ask him why he killed his family doctor.

"Why do you not ask me why I killed my family doctor?" Mabiour said to the judge last week. "I killed him for good reason."

Mabiour told the court he didn't want a lawyer and intended to represent himself, calling the Canadian system corrupt.

The case is scheduled to return to court Oct. 14.

Reynolds, a 45-year-old father of two, was attacked with a weapon while working at the clinic on Aug. 10. He died later in hospital.

One witness told media that she was in the waiting room when she heard cries for help and that a man in the clinic had a hammer and a machete.

RCMP have said the crime was not random and the two men knew each other through the clinic, although they have not said if Mabiour was a patient of Reynolds.

Mabiour is also charged with assault with a weapon and assaulting a police officer. Hehas no known criminal record.

When he first appeared in court on Aug. 12, heappeared confused, saying, "Listen to me. I don't remember anything because I'm sick. I want a doctor."