MONTREAL - A pre-trial procedure designed to evaluate Richard Bain’s mental health was temporarily derailed Friday when it was revealed that his psychiatrist failed to write a report in English.
Bain, the suspect in the election night killing outside the Parti Quebecois celebratory gathering, is being evaluated to see if he is mentally fit to stand trial.
Bain, who is bilingual, had been provided an English-speaking psychiatrist after refusing to cooperate with a francophone mental health professional.
The English-speaking psychiatrist opted to write her report in French, leading Bain to angrily complain.
“It is surprising but the psychiatrist has a choice to write it in French or English,” said Bain’s defense attorney Elfriede Duclervil. “She chose French and that's why we have translators.”
The judge gave the court until next week to translate the report.
Bain indulged in several tirades throughout the procedure and appeared to have quoted part of the report, which he said described him as being 75 percent well enough to face trial.
Bain also urged people to contribute to his legal defense and spoke loudly and derisively of the Quebec separatist movement.
He also reported to feeling threatened by other inmates and asked to be kept in protective custody.
His lawyer Duclervil said that she intends to stop representing him because he is not eligible for legal aid and has a habit of contacting media outlets.
“We always advise our clients to remain silent and Mr. Bain has a habit of communicating to the media,” she said.
Bain returns to court on Friday Jan. 18.
