The court considered whether Devret Clarke, who shot and killed Gars-Ara Kourjakian, was not criminally responsible (NCR) on account of mental disorder.
The evidence established that Clarke suffered from schizophrenia and was actively psychotic at the time of the offence.
The main issue was whether his mental disorder rendered him incapable of knowing that his conduct was morally wrong.
After reviewing the evidence, including psychiatric opinions and Clarke’s own testimony, the court found that Clarke’s delusions led him to believe his actions were justified both by his own moral code and by societal norms, if society understood his experiences.
The court concluded that Clarke was NCR.
