Accused Chinatown stabber deemed 'significant threat' by BC Review Board
Five months before Blair Evan Donnelly allegedly stabbed three strangers in an unprovoked attack, the BC Review Board had concerns he may pose a threat to public safety.
During an annual meeting to discuss Donnelly’s disposition on April 13, 2023, it concluded that Donnelly continues to “meet the threshold of significant threat" and ordered to be detained for eight months.
He was found not criminally responsible on account of a mental disorder for stabbing his 16-year-old daughter to death in 2006 in Kitimat, B.C. He was sent to the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital in Coquitlam.
According to the decision, he is currently diagnosed with bipolar disorder, with psychotic symptoms when manic, and he is in remission from a substance use disorder.
The review board decision outlines the fatal attack. It wrote Donnelly did not show any “apparent signs of mental deterioration” beforehand.
“Earlier that day, Mr. Donnelly had been planning to murder his wife, but he changed his mind to his delusional belief that it was his daughter that God wanted him to kill,” the decision reads.
In 2009, while on a day pass, he “suddenly stabbed” a friend and was convicted to assault with a weapon and served 45 days in jail.
Another incident happened in 2017 when he was allowed a visit leave from the psychiatric hospital but staff noticed he was “preoccupied with religious matters” and had to return back to the institution.
“Shortly after his return to FPH, Mr. Donnelly suddenly attacked another patient in the Hawthorne unit with a butter knife,” the decision reads. Donnelly was found not criminally responsible on account of a mental disorder for that incident.
In conclusion, the board noted, “The accused has reoffended after long periods of remission between violent episodes and without any significant warning signs.”
“When ill, Mr. Donnelly has no insight into his deterioration. He requires significant supervision to ensure he does not cause further harm to the public.”
‘BUREAUCRATIC CHAOS’
The document also reveals Donnelly had made some “good progress” and in 2021 and 2022, he began to have more visits to Coastal Transitional Cottages, in anticipation he may be given a conditional discharge recommendation.
But testimony was heard that the transitional cottages “failed to supervise” Donnelly in the way that was recommended in the treatment plan.
Former Attorney General Barry Penner told CTV News the April decision highlights some issues within the institutions.
“The first reading of this order indicates that there were staffing shortages, staffing turnover, problems in people checking emails and receiving the important information and acting on that information,” Penner said. “There is a bit of a pattern here of chaos, almost bureaucratic chaos happening, within the provincial institutions that were supposed to be looking after people like Mr. Donnelly.”
He said there appears to be some disorganization in administration.
“That’s very disturbing, because we see what can go wrong. This is a risky, risky endeavor, handling these people. They need to be handled appropriately. And fortunately, it looks like in this case, from what we see so far, it looks like Mr. Donnelly was not appropriately supervised or handled in accordance with the direction of the review board,” he said.
On Thursday, Premier David Eby announced an independent investigator has been appointed to find out how Donnelly was able to get a day pass and attend the Light Up Chinatown! festival with no supervision.
Donnelly has been charged with three counts of aggravated assault and remains in custody following Sunday’s attack.
The BC Review Board is an independent tribunal that holds hearings to make and review depositions for any accused who’s been determined to be not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder or unfit to stand trial.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Is it cold, flu or norovirus? Symptoms explained
The highly contagious norovirus is spreading across Canada, with some symptoms overlapping with other viruses. CTVNews.ca spoke with a health expert to find out how you can tell you have norovirus, the most common form of stomach flu, and what to do if you have it.
Freeland leaves capital gains tax change out of coming budget implementation bill, here's why
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will be tabling yet another omnibus bill to pass a sweeping range of measures promised in her April 16 federal budget, though left out of the legislation will be the government's proposed capital gains tax change.
Anger can harm your blood vessel function, study shows
Stress and anger can have a negative impact on cardiovascular health, studies have shown. New research points to just how the mechanism may work.
Ontario's police watchdog continues probe of high-speed pursuit involving fatal crash
The investigation continues into a collision that killed two grandparents and their infant grandchild during a high-speed police chase on the wrong way of Highway 401 east of Toronto.
Ontario woman surprised after 20-year-old fines suddenly tank credit score
An Ontario woman says that she was shocked when fines from 20 years ago suddenly tanked her credit score last week, but the situation may not be as unusual as it seems, according to at least one debt expert.
Search continues for 'armed man' in Dartmouth, N.S.
Police say they continue to search for an armed man who allegedly threatened people in Dartmouth, N.S.
Swarm of bees delays Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles game in Arizona. An 'MVP' beekeeper came to the rescue
Major League Baseball fans had an unexpected buzz on Tuesday after a swarm of bees delayed the Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers game for around two hours.
Newfoundland fisherman says police broke his leg during protest that delayed budget
Richard Martin is spending this year's fishing season on land after he says a Royal Newfoundland Constabulary officer broke his left leg in three places during a protest last month that shut down the provincial legislature.
It's opening day for the $34B Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion
Wednesday marks the official start date of the long-awaited $34-billion Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion project.