We have to remember, there are some judges that are just genuinely stupid.The Toronto Star ran a bit of a summary of the accused's criminal history.
Accused TTC killer was on probation for Toronto sex assault; had been ordered into mental health counselling
A series of documents obtained by the Star paint a picture of a man who, bouncing in and out of homeless shelters, has continued to commit new offences despite multiple arrests, jail time and a series of probation orders.www.thestar.com
The line that jumped out at me was a sentencing for assault with a weapon, where he was ordered, after being released from custody, to seek out his own medical diagnosis for his mental health issues. Seriously!? Instead of the judge ordering a mental health assessment as part of his custody, the court directs a homeless, indigent person with mental health issues to seek out his own medical diagnosis and treatment program.
Sigh.
Mental health assessments happen in custody literally all the time. If the judge had simply ordered for it to be done in custody, that’s one less thing to do the next time he commits an offence (which, well, he did…)