Greyhound bus killer deemed "not criminally responsible"
Amanda Roth
Issue date: 3/10/09 Section: News
On July 30, 2008, the world was shocked when Vince Li murdered fellow Greyhound passenger Timothy McLean on a bus headed to Winnipeg.
Li appalled the community he lived in, as well as the rest of Canada, and it was made clear by reports appearing prior to the event, that Li was suffering from a mental illness.
The Manitoba Court of Queen's Bench Judge, John Scurfield, deemed Li not criminally responsible for the crime due to this mental illness.
Li pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder when the trial began on March 3.
Psychiatric evidence, provided by both the defence and the crown, suggest he suffers from schizophrenia and that last July, when he fatally stabbed, beheaded and cannibalized McLean, he was experiencing a major psychotic episode.
The victim's family is unhappy with the trial's results and have been lobbying for a change in the Canadian Criminal Code that prevents mentally ill criminals from eventually being returned to society.
Carol de Delley, the victim's mother, after the ruling on March 5, proclaimed that she would do everything within her power to make sure Li is never released from a secure facility.
"He will be sent to a mental health facility (often a forensic ward at a psychiatric hospital) where security can be as high (or higher) as one would see in a federal correctional facility," said Dr. Angela Book, Professor of Forensic Psychology at Brock University.
"Treatment will be offered, usually involving medication for the symptoms (in this case, an antipsychotic) and behavioural treatments to increase the likelihood of continuing to take medication.
"After one year in the facility, the provincial review board will look at the case again, and determine whether to continue to detain the individual," said Book. "The review will be done each year, in order to make sure that people are not indefinitely detained without examining their progress."
The victim, a carnival worker, was en route to his home in Winnipeg on a Greyhound bus from Edmonton. While sitting in a back row of the bus, McLean greeted Li as the stranger sat down beside him.
As the bus was nearing Portage La Prairie, Manitoba around 8:30 p.m., Li removed a knife from his side and began stabbing McLean. The bus was stopped on the side of the Trans-Canada Highway, passengers fled the bus and Li was barricaded inside the vehicle.
During the murder, Li was heard by fellow passengers, repeating "get emergency" as he continued to stab the victim.
Throughout the long standoff with RCMP officers, Li was seen walking around the bus carrying McLean's severed head in one hand and the knife in the other.
When Li was finally subdued by police, he pleaded, "I'm guilty, please kill me".
Family and friends of the victim, as well as the rest of society, who were shocked and horrified by what had transpired, worry about what will happen if or when Li is able to re-enter the community.
"Individuals suffering from schizophrenia are less likely to re-offend than are those without such a diagnosis," said Book.
Li appalled the community he lived in, as well as the rest of Canada, and it was made clear by reports appearing prior to the event, that Li was suffering from a mental illness.
The Manitoba Court of Queen's Bench Judge, John Scurfield, deemed Li not criminally responsible for the crime due to this mental illness.
Li pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder when the trial began on March 3.
Psychiatric evidence, provided by both the defence and the crown, suggest he suffers from schizophrenia and that last July, when he fatally stabbed, beheaded and cannibalized McLean, he was experiencing a major psychotic episode.
The victim's family is unhappy with the trial's results and have been lobbying for a change in the Canadian Criminal Code that prevents mentally ill criminals from eventually being returned to society.
Carol de Delley, the victim's mother, after the ruling on March 5, proclaimed that she would do everything within her power to make sure Li is never released from a secure facility.
"He will be sent to a mental health facility (often a forensic ward at a psychiatric hospital) where security can be as high (or higher) as one would see in a federal correctional facility," said Dr. Angela Book, Professor of Forensic Psychology at Brock University.
"Treatment will be offered, usually involving medication for the symptoms (in this case, an antipsychotic) and behavioural treatments to increase the likelihood of continuing to take medication.
"After one year in the facility, the provincial review board will look at the case again, and determine whether to continue to detain the individual," said Book. "The review will be done each year, in order to make sure that people are not indefinitely detained without examining their progress."
The victim, a carnival worker, was en route to his home in Winnipeg on a Greyhound bus from Edmonton. While sitting in a back row of the bus, McLean greeted Li as the stranger sat down beside him.
As the bus was nearing Portage La Prairie, Manitoba around 8:30 p.m., Li removed a knife from his side and began stabbing McLean. The bus was stopped on the side of the Trans-Canada Highway, passengers fled the bus and Li was barricaded inside the vehicle.
During the murder, Li was heard by fellow passengers, repeating "get emergency" as he continued to stab the victim.
Throughout the long standoff with RCMP officers, Li was seen walking around the bus carrying McLean's severed head in one hand and the knife in the other.
When Li was finally subdued by police, he pleaded, "I'm guilty, please kill me".
Family and friends of the victim, as well as the rest of society, who were shocked and horrified by what had transpired, worry about what will happen if or when Li is able to re-enter the community.
"Individuals suffering from schizophrenia are less likely to re-offend than are those without such a diagnosis," said Book.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
terri
posted 3/26/09 @ 3:54 PM EST
This not guilty verdict is BS!!
1) If Li had no premeditation, and was only 'told by God' to kill Tim once on the bus beside him, why did he already have a weapon (knife) on him when he boarded the bus???
2) If Li believed he was 'killing a demon', why did he cannibalize Tim?? Why would he (and God) want him to ingest demon flesh?? The common belief about cannibalism is that you take on the traits/power of that which you eat? Does God want Li to get demon traits??? And why would he take pieces of Tim's body away with him?? A demon is evil. (Continued…)
Kate Edwards
posted 3/27/09 @ 5:26 PM EST
It is a tragic incidence for Mclean family, however I do not believe ensuring that Li is behind a psychiatric facility for eternal is agreeable either. (Continued…)
tm
posted 4/11/09 @ 2:06 PM EST
Hey Kate ,
I guess all I can say is ... I wonder if you would have the same opinion if Tim was your son ! Or better yet .... when and if he comes out . (Continued…)
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