Access to mental health services will loom large at Saskatoon murder trial starting Monday

Thomas Hamp's parents say it's a tragedy that could have been prevented.

On Monday, a Saskatoon judge at Court of King's Bench will begin hearing evidence about what happened between Hamp and his girlfriend intheir place onMain Street on Feb. 20,2022 and the events leading up to it.

It's alleged that HampmurderedEmily Sanche. She was fatally stabbedand Hamp was charged with second-degree murder.

• Saskatoon family says health-care system failed their son in months leading to fatal February stabbing

Hamp's parents told CBCat the time that they had been trying in the months before Sanche's death to get psychiatric help for their 25-year-old son.

"We were hoping he'd be admitted to the Dube Centre, where he could be in a secure place and get some professional help. Hopefully see a psychiatrist and help to determine what's going on so that these things could be addressed medically first, and then through counselling," Sandi Hamp said.

"Our mission at that point was to get him admitted into care where he could be looked after."

Between December and the February assault, Thomas had been to the emergency room twice, had a phone call with a psychiatrist, and had seen his family doctor and a counsellor.

"We just wanted someone to finally listen to us and to him and hear that this is a young man who needs help. And they just didn't," she said.

The judge must first decide whether a crime happened and, if so, whether Hamp was criminally responsible for his actions.

Two weeks are set aside for thejudge-alone trial.