New psych exam for slashing suspect
Newly hired defence counsel for Colin Jaffar Rogers, 28, of Fredericton, says his client has been off his anti-psychotic medication since he moved to Fredericton from Nova Scotia
A defendant accused of robbery and a bloody slashing assault earlier this year continued to frustrate the court process with his disruptive behaviour Monday, and his lawyer said it’s because he’s off his meds.
Colin Jaffar Rogers, 28, of Westbrook Lane in Fredericton, appeared in Fredericton provincial court remotely from the Saint John Regional Correctional Centre on Monday, initially by telephone and later by video.
He was scheduled to elect mode of trial and enter pleas to March 20 counts of aggravated assault on Joseph Godin by wounding him and endangering his life, assault on Godin with a utility knife, robbery by assaulting Godin, possession of a machete for a purpose dangerous to the public peace, an assault on Fredericton police Const. Deana Joka and resisting arrest.
As a result of repeated outbursts and odd behaviour in court, he has undergone forensic psychiatric assessments in recent months, both to determine his fitness to stand trial and the possibility he might be exempt from criminal responsibility due to a mental disorder at the time of his alleged crimes.