(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Sheldon Spackman/rdnewsNOW

Preliminary Inquiry Waived

Trial to be set for man charged with killing Red Deer doctor

Nov 6, 2020 | 2:06 PM

Trial dates are to be scheduled for a man accused of killing a Red Deer doctor even though he still refuses to get a lawyer.

Deng Mabiour appeared in Red Deer provincial court Friday morning by CCTV from the Calgary Remand Centre and waived his right to a preliminary inquiry.

After speaking with Mabiour, duty council lawyer Murray Shack told Judge Gordon Yake that he failed to convince him of the benefits of retaining a lawyer.

“I did talk to him about a preliminary inquiry and what a preliminary inquiry was and what the process was,” explained Shack. “But his interest is in going to trial as soon as possible and he is willing to waive a preliminary inquiry.”

Crown prosecutor Bina Border expressed concern about Mabiour still being without a lawyer, adding that the Crown is not requesting a preliminary inquiry either.

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“I appreciate the fitness assessment has already been completed, but once council is appointed, they can review it and we can proceed from there,” she suggested.

Judge Yake responded by noting he had no jurisdiction to appoint council at this point.

“I am compelled to commit Mr. Mabiour to stand trial in Court of Queen’s Bench and send him for arraignment in Court of Queen’s Bench in Red Deer. I direct Mr. Mabiour be brought before Court of Queen’s Bench for arraignment by CCTV.”

The case returns to court on Dec. 7 for arraignment.

Mabiour, who is 54, is charged in the slaying of Dr. Walter Reynolds at the Village Mall Walk-In Clinic. Reynolds was attacked with a weapon while working at the clinic on August 10 and later died in hospital.

Mabiour has had a number of unusual interactions with the court since his arrest, and a judge ordered a psychiatric examination to determine if the accused understood the charges against him.

A psychiatrist told court last month that Mabiour is fit to stand trial.