A murder suspect was in B.C. Supreme Court Monday arguing that his jail conditions are a violation of his rights.
Jamie Bacon was one of four people charged in connection with the murders of six people in a Surrey, B.C., high-rise in 2007. Police have said the killings were gang-related.
Since his arrest in April, Bacon has been held in segregated custody. On Monday, Bacon's lawyer, Kim Eldred, told a judge that amounts to cruel and unusual punishment.
"The central issue in this case is the grave psychological harm that solitary confinement poses, particularly to prisoners still subject to the presumption of innocence," she said.
Bacon complained through his lawyer that he's allowed out of his cell only one hour per day. He alleges that for the first month in custody, he wasn't given a change of clothes.
He also complained that he's limited to speaking to his parents and to his lawyer.
Eileen Mohan, the mother of Chris Mohan, one of two victims police say were just innocent bystanders, was also in the courtroom Monday. She called the proceedings ridiculous.
"What about my son's constitutional rights? What about Mr. Schellenberg's constitutional rights?" she said, referring to Ed Schellenberg, who was also killed.
"How are our families faring? Is somebody fighting for us?"
Arguments are expected to continue all week.
Bacon is expected to remain in custody until his trial begins in 2011.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Stephen Smart.
