Psychiatric patient charged with 2nd-degree murder found unfit for trial
CBC
Thomas Parsley — who was residing at the Waterford Hospital in December of 2024 when it's alleged he killed another patient — has been deemed unfit to stand trial.
The 31-year-old was initially found fit in the weeks after the killing, but his lawyer requested a new assessment last month.
Parsley appeared in provincial court on Thursday, where the results of the latest test were revealed.
The case was set over for a week, at which point the court will set a date for a fitness hearing to determine if Parsley can proceed in the criminal justice system.
If he's still unfit to proceed, Parsley's case could be referred to the province's Criminal Code Mental Disorder Review Board, which would oversee his treatment.
Parsley has been in custody on the forensic unit of the psychiatric hospital since his arrest.
Fitness assessments are conducted when there's a concern for an accused person's mental health. The test has a low bar — a person needs to have a basic understanding of proceedings, and be able to communicate with their lawyer.
It's also a fluid concept, as highlighted by Parsley's case. A person can be found unfit to stand trial at various points as they proceed through court, only to become fit again through things like medical treatment.
Parsley is due back in court on March 19, to set a date for the fitness hearing.
He's also charged with assault with a weapon and uttering threats, related to an alleged incident with a Waterford Hospital nurse prior to the fatal incident.
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