What killer is of sound mind?
Mental illness agony
Mtl police need better weapons training: QC coroner
This is a sketch of Rene Goudreau, 30, of Ottawa, who is accused of killing his mother, 53-year-old Lucie Goudreau.
Credits: QMI Agency
OTTAWA - A mentally ill man accused of burning his disabled mother to death last month will appear in court in January for a fitness hearing.
Rene Goudreau, 30, is charged with first-degree murder in the fiery death of wheelchair-bound Lucie Goudreau, 53, on Nov. 27.
He was arrested and sent to hospital for a 30-day psychiatric assessment the day his mother died.
On Friday, Goudreau was ordered to remain in hospital until his Jan. 11 hearing, which will determine if he is fit to stand trial.
If Goudreau is deemed unfit, he could be ordered to undergo treatment.
If he is declared fit, lawyers can begin to explore whether he can be held criminally responsible for his actions on the day of the alleged murder.
At his first court appearance, Goudreau spoke incoherently in the prisoner's dock.
Ontario Review Board documents outline a lengthy history of mental illness.
