Mentally unwell defendant threatens suicide
Alexander M. Hawkins, 28, denied various criminal charges, including a count of sexual assault, and became increasingly agitated as court proceeding continued
An unwell defendant facing several charges clearly didn’t want anything to do with the court process or his charges Thursday, and said he’d kill himself before his trial dates rolled around next year.
Alexander M. Hawkins, 28, of no fixed address, appeared in court to answer to five charges.
He’s accused of sexually assaulting an individual Sept. 15, assaulting Robert Hughes on Jan. 25, and failing to attend court on three occasions between March and April.
“Not guilty, ‘cause I had no way to get down here,” Hawkins said in reference to the no-show charges. “I’m living in Saint John right now.”
Judge Scott Brittain said not having transportation for court isn’t a defence, and he cautioned Hawkins not to discuss the circumstances of his cases.
The defendant also entered not-guilty pleas to the sexual assault and assault charges.
Hawkins was clearly out of sorts during his time in the courtroom. He seemed unable to stand still and kept fidgeting with his hands.
“Bullshit, bullshit, bullshit, bullshit,” the defendant said, speaking of the charges.
“I spent five days in jail for this bullshit. I was traumatized … I have mental problems.”
Brittain cautioned Hawkins to watch his language, initially taking a stern tone with him.
But as Hawkins ranted and appeared to become more defiant, even trying to leave the courtroom before his proceeding was finished, the judge pivoted in his approach, trying to calm Hawkins and to ensure he focused on what he needed to do.
Hawkins said he hadn’t obtained disclosure of the Crown file or applied for legal aid.
Brittain urged him to inquire about those things with the Crown prosecutors’ office and the Legal Aid Services Commission of New Brunswick that morning since he was in Fredericton, but Hawkins seemed more intent on leaving the building and the city than preparing for trial.
“I’m worked up, and I gotta get outta here,” he said.
“I know you’re upset today,” the judge told him, strongly suggesting he connect with and apply for legal aid.
“They can help you work with the stressful aspects of that, sir.”
At the suggestion of prosecutor Rodney Jordan, the court scheduled the trials for the sexual-assault charge and the other matters on different days.
Brittain scheduled the sex-assault trial for May 15, 2024, and the trials for the other charges the following day.
The judge also scheduled a monitoring session for March 4 to see if Hawkins would have defence counsel.
Hawkins said those court dates will likely be moot.
“I’ll probably be dead by then,” he said. “I’m mentally unfit, man … I will kill myself before that.”
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.