Lawyers suggest man accused of trying to kill cops should not be held criminally responsible

By Medicine Hat News on February 5, 2025.

@MedicineHatNews

A man accused of firing a shotgun during a standoff with four Medicine Hat police officers may not be not criminally responsible for his actions, his lawyers told Court of Justice in Medicine Hat on Tuesday.

Cole Scory, 30, was charged with four counts of attempted murder in August after a day-long standoff with local police at the man’s apartment on the Southwest Hill.

Court proceedings in the fall heard that Scory suffers from schizophrenia and was being held at the secured Alberta Hospital psychiatric facility. A psychiatric report delivered in early December found he was mentally capable to stand trial, understand the charges and participate in his defence.

A separate report, described Tuesday, was prepared to determine whether he could be found criminally responsible at trial.

Duty counsel attorney Vince Guinan acted on behalf of Scory’s lawyer Darcy Shurtz, to inform the court that prosecutors and defence counsel are just gaining possession of the new report and are determining their positions.

The matter was adjourned to March 4.

Scory was also charged with assault, possessing a dangerous weapon, possessing a firearm, pointing a firearm, discharging a firearm and endangering human life.

9
-8