Emily Sanche repeatedly tried to get medical help for partner now accused of killing her, cousin tells court

Emily Sanche was an "intelligent, passionate, driven" young woman who focused her energy on getting help for her partner, who is now accused ofkilling her, the woman's cousin told a Saskatoon court on Tuesday.

Thomas Hampis on trial before Justice Grant Currie at Court of King's Bench. He's charged with second-degree murder in theFeb. 20, 2022, fatal stabbing ofSanche.

"Emily never spoke of any fears of Thomas any fear or anxiety was fear for him," Catherine Sanche, Emily's cousin,told court onTuesday.

"He never gave her any reason to fear for her safety."

Hamp is not denying that he stabbed Emily Sanche. Defence lawyer Brian Pfefferle is arguing that Hamp is not criminally responsible for his actions.

On Tuesday, prosecutor Cory Bliss calledCatherine Sanche, who was identified as Emily'scousin and best friend, to testify. Sheknew Emily her entire life and became friends with Hamp when the trio went to Holy Cross High School in Saskatoon.

Catherine said she also kept a detailed record of Emily's efforts to get medical help for Hamp over a three-month period before her death.

"She was concerned over the lack of response from health professionals," Catherine Sanche testified.

Hamphad been diagnosedwith obsessive compulsive disorderand was taking medication for the condition. Emily Sanchehad a psychology degree and was working on a master's in counselling, with a focus on OCD.

"She was incredibly compassionate," Catherine Sanche told court.

Under questioning by Bliss, Catherine Sanche went through her notes around her cousin's efforts toget help for Hamp.

The dates came in clustersDec. 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 each one with a corresponding visit to anemergency room or walk-in clinic, or call to the province's health line.

Emily Sanche could not get the help that she believed Hamp needed, for a variety of reasons, court heard.In some instances, Hamp did not present as delusional. In others, his actions were attributed to his OCD diagnosis. Others questioned whether he was taking too many medications,or not enough.

Meanwhile, Hamp was telling Emily about recovered memories of incidents that had not occurred. He believed that their apartment had been broken into; that he was surrounded by pedophiles; that he had been sexually abused; that his phone had been hacked; that he would be chemically castrated by doctors if he went forhelp.

By February, Catherine said that Hamp's delusions "were so fantastical" that Emily had a small hope that doctors would take him seriously and admit him forpsychiatric care.

Instead, they delayed acting because he had a March psychiatric appointment.

Two weeks are set aside for Hamp'sjudge-alone trial, which began on Monday.