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Allan Schoenborn expressed desire to harm co-patient, doctor testifies

The high-risk designation hearing for child-killer Allan Schoenborn restarted today in B.C. Supreme Court, with one of his psychologists testifying Schoenborn expressed violent thoughts about another patient in recent months.

Schoenborn was found not criminally responsible for killing his three children in Merrit in 2008 due to mental illness and was granted day passes last year.

However, the family has pushed for Schoenborn to be labelled high risk, which would see him only be eligible for a review hearing every three years.

Earlier in the trial, the Crown said Schoenborn had acted aggressively at least 85 times at the hospital, including four episodes of physical aggression against other patients and staff.

'Only engage in therapy until the review board hearing'

Today, Dr. Alana Cook testified in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster.

The licensed psychologist met with Schoenborn approximately once a week beginning in January 2016, and said he presented himself as warm and engaged, while acknowledging he struggled with anger management.

"He was interpersonally warm and cognitively engaged. It was easy to work with him in a therapeutic way," she said.

But Cook said that by the end of March, something changed in Schoenborn's behaviour. She testified he stopped doing his "homework" and relaxation techniques.

In addition, Schoenborn was no longer interested in treatment, and staff had noted an increase in anger and aggression.

Most notably, during one session, she says, he expressed violent ideations and a desire to harm a co-patient.

"His statements began to include that he would only engage in therapy until the review board hearing," added Cook.

Testimony will continue this week from other doctors.

Next week, it's expected Schoenborn's lawyers will challenge the constitutionality of Bill C-14, the bill that put in place the high-risk accused designation.