(Laval) The bus driver accused of having murdered two toddlers by rushing into a daycare center in Laval was deemed fit to appear Friday at the Laval courthouse. Pierre Ny St-Amand will have to undergo a new psychiatric assessment.
During a brief hearing, defense counsel, Mr.e Julien Lespérance Hudon, announced that the psychiatric report – sealed – concludes that his client is fit to appear. The defense had requested such an assessment last week, since it considered that the mental state of Pierre Ny St-Amand did not allow him to stand trial.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, PRESS ARCHIVES
Pierre Ny St-Amand is charged with the first degree murders of 4-year-old Jacob Gauthier and 5-year-old Maëva David.
Me Lespérance Hudon then asked the judge for a psychiatric evaluation to determine the accused’s criminal responsibility at the time of the crime. A psychiatrist from the National Institute of Forensic Psychiatry Philippe-Pinel will therefore assess whether Pierre Ny St-Amand suffered from mental disorders making him unable to assess right from wrong at the time. A request approved by the judge.
The report is expected to be presented in court on March 28.
Pierre Ny St-Amand is notably accused of the first degree murders of Jacob Gauthier, 4, and Maëva David, 5. The Société de transport de Laval (STL) driver also faces charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault and assault causing bodily harm.
The whole of Quebec was shocked on the morning of February 8, when an STL bus crashed head-on into the Ste-Rose educational daycare center in Laval. On the scene, Pierre Ny St-Amand had to be restrained by citizens following the collision.