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By Tiffany Goodwein

three-day trial

Accused in mall stabbing said he was going through a spiritual attack the day of the incident

Nov 15, 2021 | 5:08 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – A man accused of stabbing his father inside the Medicine Hat Mall in January 2020 said he had to commit the act in order to protect his father.

Paul Fabreau took the stand on the first day of trial in the Court of Queen’s Bench. Fabreau, 42, testified that on the day of the stabbing he was going through a spiritual attack, which he described as energy pulses that signal to Fabreau that he is being manipulated.

The court heard that on Jan. 2, 2020, Fabreau went to the mall with his father so that Fabreau could buy a new cellphone. Once they entered the food court, Fabreau said that he could “feel instantly” that something was wrong. He also said that he began to see people, but not the “Main Man.”

When asked by defence lawyer Greg White to describe who he was referring to, Fabreau said the man was named James and he had plans to ruin his life.

Once at the phone kiosk, Fabreau said he began to sweat and he heard there were dozens of people ready to hurt him and his father. That’s when Fabreau said he took out his knife as a way of protection

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“I either do what my brother and I have practised or we might not be able to see tomorrow,” he said in court.

After being questioned by the defence, Fabreau admitted to stabbing his dad in the neck. He said the purpose of the stabbing was to get him to the ambulance as soon as possible to keep him safe. Fabreau also said that he believed in order to protect himself he would need to be taken by police.

Earlier in the day, two officers with the MHPS also took the stand. Both testified that Fabreau seemed relaxed when they went to arrest him.

Const. Adrian Williams also told the court that Fabreau seemed focused on his military ribbons, and Fabreau told him that he was with the South Alberta Light Horse.

When Fabreau took the stand he described an elaborate military experience. He told the court he was an admiral with the Canadian military responsible for logistics and supply. He also said that he would send people around the world on missions as part of his role.

But his father testified that Fabreau’s only experience in the military was when he was in cadets as a child. He also mentioned that Fabreau was hospitalized a month before the attack.

Fabreau is being tried by judge alone. The trial is expected to last until Wednesday.