Kelowna

Photo: Castanet Staff

RCMP responded to the disturbance Sept. 13 on Mission Springs Drive.

According to a doctor, Conor Grossmith is fit to stand trial, but the question remains whether he is criminally responsible for allegedly bludgeoning his mother to death with a hammer last September.

Grossmith, who is currently being held at the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital in Port Coquitlam, appeared pale and possibly medicated in a video feed shown at the Kelowna Courthouse today (Friday), at times squinting into the camera and finding it difficult to sit still in his swivel chair.

The results of a psych exam and assessment were expected to be debated today, but only the doctor’s fitness test was brought back which did not address criminal responsibility. That coupled with Grossmith’s lawyer being unable to appear further complicated the matter.

Due to these circumstances, the provincial court judge presiding over today’s matter was hesitant to address the issue of criminal responsibility and whether the court had the jurisdiction or authority to make that decision.

The matter has been put forward to Jan. 25, when Grossmith will again appear via video and the court will address the judicial provincial court findings on whether or not he is fit to stand trial.