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‘I killed him:’ Psychiatric exam ordered for accused in Alberta doctor slaying

Deng Mabiour is charged with first-degree murder in last month’s slaying of Dr. Walter Reynolds
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An impromptu memorial for Dr. Walter Reynolds, who died after he was attacked in an examination room rests outside the Village Mall walk-in clinic in Red Deer, Alta., on August 11, 2020. A man accused of killing a family doctor at a medical clinic in central Alberta is scheduled to appear in court today. Deng Mabiour is charged with first-degree murder in death of Dr. Walter Reynolds. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

A man accused of killing a family doctor at a medical clinic in central Alberta made a second bizarre court appearance Wednesday as he was ordered to undergo a psychiatric exam.

Deng Mabiour is charged with first-degree murder in last month’s slaying of Dr. Walter Reynolds at the Village Mall Walk-In Clinic in Red Deer.

Mabiour, 54, went on several tirades at provincial court Judge Bert Skinner, who asked the accused several times whether he understood the charges against him.

“I refuse to say because my case is bigger than this,” said Mabiour, who wore a blue inmate jumpsuit and insisted on sitting on the floor of the video room at the Red Deer Remand Centre claiming his knee hurt.

“Why do you not ask me why I killed my family doctor? I killed him for good reason,” Mabiour told the judge.

“I don’t want a lawyer. I want to talk about why I killed my family doctor. It is a very, very long story.”

Reynolds, a 45-year-old father of two, was attacked with a weapon while working at the clinic on Aug. 10. He died later in hospital.

One witness told media that she was in the waiting room when she heard cries for help and that a man in the clinic had a hammer and a machete.

RCMP have said the crime was not random and the two men knew each other through the clinic, although they have not said if Mabiour was a patient of Reynolds.

Mabiour is also charged with assault with a weapon and assaulting a police officer.

He first appeared in court one month ago and appeared confused.

“Listen to me. I don’t remember anything because I’m sick. I want a doctor,” Mabiour told court on Aug. 12.

READ MORE: Man, 54, charged in connection with fatal attack of Red Deer doctor

Police have released few details about the man accused of killing Reynolds. An acquaintance of Mabiour has said he came to Canada from South Sudan.

On Wednesday, Mabiour said he is worried about the justice system in Canada.

“I don’t know how you carry out justice in Canada. Canada lawyer is not good for me,” he told court.

“Here there is corruption.”

Mabiour did not have a lawyer in court but a duty counsel said the accused had applied for legal aid then cancelled his request.

The judge ordered a five-day psychiatric evaluation and put the case over to Sept. 14.

“This court has no authority to take a plea from you,” Skinner said.

“I am going to request an assessment of you … to verify if you are fit to stand trial. I’m not so satisfied.”

READ MORE: Doctor slain in Alberta medical clinic was devoted father, husband

Bill Graveland, The Canadian Press


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