An Agassiz woman who claimed the only authority over her is God was judged competent to stand trial for reckless discharge of a firearm.
According to recently released court documents, Denise Angela Norris was charged on June 19 in Agassiz. The Crown submitted that Norris was unfit to stand trial based on a diagnosis of “unspecified psychosis with religious delusions.”
“Specifically, the Crown argues that due to her religious delusions, Ms. Norris does not recognize the authority of this Court,” the decision from Judge Kristen Mundstock reads. “Ms. Norris states only God has authority over her and God will be her redeemer. The Crown argues that because Ms. Norris does not recognize the authority of this Court, she will not actively engage in the court process and will not participate in her defence because, in her view, there is no point.”
Norris argued through her defence counsel that she was fit to stand trial and is aware of the roles of the court and of the judge. It was argued that God will decide her spiritual fate and that, in discussions with a forensic psychiatrist identified in court documents as Dr. Gharakhanian, she has discussed the elements of her defence.
On June 19, the Agassiz RCMP were called to the 1500 block of the Agassiz-Rosedale Highway between McDonald Road and Bristol Drive. Police found a woman outside reportedly in possession of a weapon who went inside a home.
Witnesses reported as many as 10 shots being fired and the sound of glass breaking. Reports from the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO) indicate there was “an interaction” and shots were fired by the RCMP. Emergency Response Team officers arrived and entered the house to find the affected woman had suffered a gunshot injury. She was transported to hospital via air ambulance and the IIO was notified.
A section of Highway 9 was blocked off for more than a full day as investigations were underway.
The IIO is a civilian-led police oversight agency that conducts investigations when incidents of death or serious harm occur that might have been the result of police action or inaction.
As of press time, the IIO has not released a final public report on this matter.
The forensic psychiatrist who met with Norris testified that she is a deeply religious and spiritual person who suffers from religious delusions.The psychiatrist said Norris made statements that caused him to conclude she was not fit to stand trial. Norris claimed multiple times that Jesus Christ was her defence lawyer and she would take instructions from him.
“[Ms. Norris] is unable, on account of her mental disorder, to understand the nature and object of court proceedings, including the roles of court authorities, understand the pleas available to her, understand the possible consequences of the proceedings, and communicate with counsel rationally,” the psychiatric report concludes.
Norris maintained she did nothing wrong.
“(Norris) said she did not shoot at police and if she were to shoot at them she would have hit them. She also stated the police shot at her and stated the police shot her in the chest to kill her,” court documents state. “She stated the police can make things up and they lie all the time.”
“She discussed her view of the conduct of police and maintains she did nothing illegal when she damaged her own property,” Mundstock’s decision stated. “In fact, she stated the destruction of household items was an issue between her and her husband.”
Under law, an accused person is presumed fit to stand trial, but a party could declare a person unfit if there are reasonable grounds that the accused is so overwhelmed with delusions or other severe symptoms of mental disorder that they cannot conduct a defence.
Mundstock said that while Morris says God’s jurisdiction applies to her, Norris also acknowledged “man-made” or provincial laws also hold authority. She also demonstrated the ability to discuss and remember the allegations and be interested in her defence.
“Ms. Norris may believe that Jesus Christ will be her lawyer but it is unclear if she means she will represent herself with guidance from God or Jesus Christ or if Jesus Christ himself will be present in court,” Mundstock wrote. “She has made both these statements to Dr. Gharakhanian.”
While the Crown argued that the forensic psychiatrist’s conclusions, though they point to an unspecified form of psychosis, should satisfy the court that Norris is unfit to stand trial. However, Mundstock concluded that Norris understood the seriousness of the court proceedings.
“Accused persons are presumed fit to stand trial. While I accept that Ms. Norris has a mental disorder, I do not accept Dr. Gharakhanian’s opinion that the mental disorder renders her unfit to stand trial,” Mundstock wrote.