By Canadian Press

Psychiatrist says Quebec Halloween stabbing suspect fell between cracks in system

May 2, 2022 | 11:17 AM

QUEBEC — A psychiatrist told jurors today that the man accused of Quebec City’s Halloween 2020 sword attacks was not considered dangerous enough before the killings to be forced into treatment.

Dr. Gilles Chamberland says that was the case for Carl Girouard despite the fact the accused had openly told health professionals six years before the murders that he wanted to use a sword to kill people.

Chamberland, who is testifying for the defence, said police would have needed to believe there was a serious and immediate danger to arrest Girouard, adding that the danger involving the suspect was unclear.

Girouard, 26, is accused of two counts of first-degree murder and five counts of attempted murder and has admitted to the physical acts. He maintains he was not criminally responsible because he suffered from a mental disorder.

The Crown argues that Girouard was able to distinguish right from wrong when he stalked the streets of Old Quebec on Oct. 31, 2020, and stabbed two people to death with a sword. 

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Chamberland says Girouard suffered from schizophrenia and was in a state of delirium when the attacks took place. He says nothing other than mental illness could explain the killings.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2022.

The Canadian Press