Murder trial derailed as accused killer found mentally unfit, sent for psych assessment
The first-degree murder trial for a man accused of killing his cellmate has been derailed after he was found mentally unfit to continue because he is likely suffering from a delusional disorder.
Marlon Ledesma is accused of killing Alvin Chiniquay, 40, in September 2016 at the Calgary Remand Centre.
When the trial got underway last week, Ledesma, who is representing himself, was asked if he pleaded guilty or not guilty but instead responded: "It was a direct order."
Defence lawyer George Sirois, who was appointed by the court to ensure proceedings are conducted fairly since Ledesma does not have a lawyer, raised concerns about the mental health of the accused on Tuesday.
After prosecutor Todd Buziak closed the Crown's case, Sirois asked that the accused see a doctor before proceeding with defence evidence at trial.
On Wednesday morning, Dr. George Duska examined Ledesma and was brought into court afterward to discuss his findings.
Ledesma is most likely suffering from a delusional disorder; his thoughts and speech at times are bizarre and nonsensical, Duska told Justice John McCarthy.
Duska explained Ledesma's mental state interferes with his ability to understand the complexity of the court proceedings.
Ledesma also believes he is a representative of the Queen, said Duska, and has "ideas of reference," meaning he weaves very coincidental events into a complex delusional system.
Earlier on in the trial, video was played from the cell shared by Ledesma and Chiniquay. It shows Ledesma attacking Chiniquay twice before washing his hands and calling for guards.
One guard testified that Ledesma told him in the minutes after the attack that he had been hearing voices.
A 30-day psychiatric assessment will be done at the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatry Centre before any further proceedings take place.
