Crown Seeks High-Risk Status
A Crown prosecutor has argued that Pierre Ny St-Amand, who killed two children and injured six others when he drove a city bus into a Laval daycare in February 2023, should be declared a high-risk offender.
Prosecutor Simon Blais told Superior Court that St-Amand’s actions were “cruel, savage, and inhumane,” and that there is a significant likelihood he could be violent again.
Stricter Oversight
Although St-Amand was found not criminally responsible due to mental disorder, the Crown wants the high-risk designation to impose stricter oversight. This would mean that any changes to his treatment or movement outside hospital care would require approval from both the mental health review board and the Superior Court.
Defence Pushback
Defence lawyer Véronique Talbot opposed the move, calling the designation “discriminatory” and harmful to St-Amand’s mental health treatment. She argued that the existing oversight by Quebec’s mental health board is already rigorous.
Background and Risk
St-Amand, a former bus driver, has a traumatic personal history and was declared likely in psychosis during the attack that killed Jacob Gauthier and a five-year-old girl. Psychiatrists testified that his risk to reoffend is moderate to high, with a more than 50% chance of another psychotic episode.
Next Steps
Justice Éric Downs will decide on the high-risk status after hearing a constitutional challenge from the defence in November. St-Amand remains detained at Montreal’s Philippe Pinel Institute under strict supervision.
