Stephen Tynes not a public risk, says lawyer Stan MacDonald
Stephen Tynes is not a risk to people living in the Halifax area, says his lawyer Stan MacDonald after his client was released on bail.
According to court documents, Stephen Tynes — a Dalhousie medical student — was arrested after meeting with a psychiatrist and telling the doctor he would use a gun to kill up to 20 people and himself.
Among those he intended to kill, the documents allege, were the associate dean of undergraduate medical education and her daughter, who was also his classmate at Dalhousie University's medical school.
"Mr. Tynes is a person that had no previous criminal record and has a right to bail and has a very good bail plan — a plan that satisfies the court," MacDonald said.
"He's not going to be a risk to the public."
MacDonald says Tynes's bail is justified.
"It's a guaranteed charter right. We proceeded with a full and complete bail hearing before a judge and it was determined that he should be released," he said.
"I'm not concerned about other cases or other people. The judge heard the evidence in this case and decided that he should be released. And that's exactly how it should be."
Nova Scotia's Justice Minister Diana Whalem wouldn't comment on the bail decision,
Tynes's bail conditions include living under supervision, remaining 25 kilometres away from Dalhousie's Carleton campus — except under supervision — and he must not possess firearms.
