Premier criticizes not-criminally-responsible system after case
David Eby says Criminal Code provisions fail families as Allan Schoenborn granted conditional discharge.
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Premier David Eby says Canada's system for dealing with people found not criminally responsible by reason of mental disorder is re-victimizing families and needs federal review.
His comments follow the BC Review Board's decision to grant Allan Schoenborn a conditional discharge. Schoenborn was found not criminally responsible for the first-degree murders of his three children — Cordon (5), Max (8), and Kaitlynne (10) — at their Merritt home in 2008.
Under the board's ruling, Schoenborn will report to a psychiatric clinic and live under supervision but must return to the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital in Coquitlam if ordered to do so.
"It is, I think, disturbing to many British Columbians that Mr. Schoenborn is going to be able to essentially walk free right now," Eby said Friday. "It's a troubling outcome for a deeply disturbing case and I think evidence that this system needs a serious look from the federal government."
Eby said he will contact the federal government about his concerns with the process.
The case underscores broader questions about how the criminal justice system handles mental disorder defences and victim family support.