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Jongwon Ham, accused of first-degree murder in the death of Burnaby RCMP Const. Shaelyn Yang, has been found not fit to stand trial in B.C. Supreme Court.
Jongwon Ham was facing a mental fitness hearing after death of Burnaby RCMP Const. Shaelyn Yang in 2022
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Jongwon Ham, accused of first-degree murder in the death of Burnaby RCMP Const. Shaelyn Yang, has been found not fit to stand trial in B.C. Supreme Court.
Yang was stabbed to death on Oct. 18, 2022, when she tried to speak to a man sheltering in a tent in Broadview Park in Burnaby, B.C.
B.C.’s police watchdog said the man in the tent was shot and wounded by Yang during the altercation.
B.C. Supreme Court Justice Michael Tammen says Ham’s psychosis is getting worse and “his delusions prevent him from making rational decisions” about the court process.
As the trial was due to begin, Tammen instead ordered the fitness hearing to determine if Ham had the mental capacity to understand the charge and if he could take part in his own defence.
Two psychiatrists told the hearing that Ham suffers from a psychotic disorder and the court heard both doctors shared the opinion he is unfit for trial.
More to come.
With files from the CBC’s Karin Larsen
