The accused, Timothy Cormier, was charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault in relation to the stabbing of his sister.
He pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, and the trial proceeded on the attempted murder count.
The central issue was whether the accused possessed the specific intent to kill.
The court considered evidence of the accused's cognitive deficits, history of epilepsy, brain surgery, and a fixed delusional belief regarding the victim.
Despite these factors, the court found that the accused's actions, including bringing a concealed knife, the nature of the attack (multiple stabs to vital areas), his stated motive (considering abortion to be murder), and his post-offence conduct (disposing of evidence and lying to police/doctors), demonstrated a specific intent to kill.
The court rejected the accused's exculpatory statements as untruthful.
The accused was found guilty of attempted murder.
