Psychological assessment ordered for accused
By Delon Shurtz on June 23, 2021.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com A Lethbridge man facing numerous criminal offences, including flight from police, has been ordered to undergo a psychological assessment to determine his fitness to stand trial.The assessment, which will be conducted at the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatry Centre in Calgary, was ordered last week for Darcy Red Crow, who appeared in Lethbridge provincial court by CCTV from the Lethbridge Correctional Centre.
An agent for the accused’s lawyer, said defence is concerned it may not be able to receive instructions from Red Crow, who was arrested last month following a police chase.
Crown Prosecutor Bruce Ainscough told court there isn’t an issue with Red Crow’s mental capacity at the time of the alleged offence, which means the 45-year-old man won’t need to be assessed to determine if he was suffering from a mental disorder, which would exempt him from criminal responsibility. Ainscough said events since his arrest prompted the request for a fitness assessment.
Red Crow, who will remain in custody during his 30-day assessment, is charged with two counts each of dangerous driving, flight from a peace officer, and possession of identity information, and single counts of possession of stolen property over $5,000, drug possession for the purpose of trafficking (fentanyl), driving while prohibited, and obstructing a peace officer. He is also charged under the Traffic Safety Act with one count of driving without insurance.
Just before 4 p.m. on May 31, Lethbridge police noticed a vehicle, which had earlier been reported stolen from Calgary. Officers with the priority crimes unit and crime suppression team followed the car as it drove to the Blood Reserve, where Blood Tribe police attempted to stop the vehicle before it sped away.
Police came across the vehicle shortly afterward as it headed north to Claresholm. A marked RCMP vehicle unsuccessfully attempted to stop the vehicle, which then drove toward Nobleford and eventually Picture Butte. Just after 6 p.m. the driver stopped and Lethbridge police arrested him. Follow @DShurtzHerald on Twitter 4
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