A psychiatric assessment to determine whether admitted child abductor Randall Hopley will be named a dangerous offender is complete but the public will have to wait until the new year to hear its contents.
Hopley was taken into the custody of the Forensic Psychiatric Services Commission for 60 days on August 9 for a dangerous offender assessment. He has previously admitted to abducting three-year-old Kienan Hebert from his Sparwood home in September, 2011. He eventually returned the boy unharmed to the home and was arrested in Crowsnest Pass, Alta. on Sept 13, 2011 following a manhunt.
In BC Supreme Court in Cranbrook on November 19, Justice Heather Holmes was informed that more time was needed to study the new report before the sentencing hearing could proceed.
Counsel for Hopley, William Thorne and Crown counsel Lynal Doerksen advised that they had just received the report on the morning of November 19. It was dated November 4.
Justice Holmes told court that she was aware there had been a delay in the report being completed, noting the date on the copy she received.
Thorne, who appeared via telephone, said he had seen the report but could not give any instructions without a more thorough examination. All three parties agreed that the matter should go over to January 14, 2013 to fix a date to continue the sentencing hearing.
Thorne said he would need to receive further instruction from his client, and suggested Hopley may direct him to ask for an independent review of the report’s findings.
Doerksen said the Crown would not be seeking any more expert testimony for the sentencing hearing that began in July.
Justice Holmes asked Thorne if a two-month interruption in the matter could be shortened. Thorne said difficulties arise with the Hopley matter because he must seek permission to visit him at some facilities, prolonging the time it takes to receive instruction from his client.
He also said he expects when Hopley is sentenced that his time in custody will be included as time served, and that he expects an extensive sentence when it is handed down by Justice Holmes.
Thorne said that should his client request an independent review of the report’s findings, more time would be needed after the January 14 date to complete a new report.
