Psychologist's testimony questioned at sentencing hearing for Hannah Leflar's killer

Experttestimony from a psychologist at the sentencing hearing of Hannah Leflar's killer raised concerns from the Crown prosecutor and judge on Thursday.

The testimony of psychologist Terry Nicholaichukon Wednesday was "false or based on antiquated evidence,"Crown prosecutor Chris White claimed on Thursday, the eighth day of the hearing in Regina.

On Wednesday,Nicholaichuksaid while the 19-year-old killer may have aborderline personality disorder or a depressive disorder, he does not meet the criteria to be considered "psychopathic" a term he said is"pejorative" and "can do somebody a lot of damage."

He also said programming for inmates within Saskatchewan penitentiaries is limited in scope and not individualized.

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Justice JenniferPritchardwondered ifNicholaichukwas entitled to give the evidence he did, as he is not employed by Correctional Services Canada.

"I found it to be very, very influential evidence that [Nicholaichuk] gave yesterday," saidPritchard.

ShesaidNicholaichuk'stestimony made her fear there would be no services available for the killer if he were to receive an adult sentence.

The teen cannot be named due to his age at the time of the killing. The hearing will determine whether he will be sentenced as an adult.

The teen has threatened self-harm and suicide if he were to receive an adult sentenceand has harmed himself while in custody.

Not a candidate for rehabilitation program

The question of whether the 19-year-old killer should be eligible for theIntensive Rehabilitative Custody and Supervision program was also raised Thursday.

Justice officials had earlier determined the teen is not a candidate for the rehabilitation program for young offenders with mental health issues,due to the length of his sentence, his treatment needs and his age.

Jennifer Peterson, the provincialco-ordinatorfor theIRCSprogram, testified last week that other factors such as the severity of the crime, mental health and location are a factor.

• Hannah Leflar killer not a candidate for youth intensive rehabilitative program

But James Struthers, one of the teen's lawyers,said the process lacked transparency.

Strutherssaidthe decision letter from the Ministry of Justiceis short and lacks proper detail. The Crown countered that only relevant information would need to be included in it.

Struthersasked that thedecision to deny the teen treatment through the rehabilitation program be quashed and reconsidered.

When the killer turns 20, he will age out of the province's youth facilities and will eventually be transferred to a federal penitentiary where theIRCSprogram is unavailable.

The Crownasked on Thursday that an employee from Correctional Services Canadabe allowed to give details of their own on the question of the killer's treatment through the program.

Both parties have agreed to also have victim impact statements read out on Friday.