Severn Township man guilty of 2020 fatal stabbing cites not criminally responsible
Justice Snache was found guilty by a Barrie judge on Monday for the stabbing death of Derek Simmerson in Orillia in 2020, as both the defence and Crown argue that Snache should not be held criminally responsible for his actions.
Simmerson was walking along Coldwater Road on Nov. 19, 2020, when he was stabbed in the heart and liver and left lying in the middle of the road.
The 34-year-old died in the hospital.
Three days later, police arrested Snache at a gas station on Highway 11.
In the Barrie courtroom Monday, a forensic psychiatrist testified he diagnosed Snache with schizophrenia and psychosis, telling the court the 22-year-old Severn Township man had hallucinations and heard voices when he killed Simmerson, fearing he would be killed if he didn't stab him first.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts to your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
The second-degree murder trial was supposed to get underway last week following an unsuccessful attempt by the defence to have crucial evidence excluded from the proceedings, including a police-recorded confession video of Snache hours after he called police to say he wanted "to confess to a murder."
Snache told police, "I think I stabbed him, pulled out the knife. He ran a little bit, and then I ended up stabbing him again."
In the video, Snache told police he had heard about the stabbing on the news and told the officer he killed someone and "didn't get in trouble for it," adding, "I feel a little better getting it off my chest."
Ultimately Justice Cary Boswell found police made several errors when dealing with Snache but ruled the evidence admissible, including a bloody knife found in the back of a cab traced back to him with Simmerson's blood on it.
Justice Boswell must now decide whether he accepts Snache was not criminally responsible for Simmerson's death due to his mental disorder at the time of the killing.
If found not criminally responsible, Snache's fate will likely be in the hands of the Ontario Review Board.
It's expected Justice Boswell will make his ruling on Wednesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.