Mentally ill killer too risky for centre

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This article was published 12/11/2009 (6132 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba justice officials are planning to kick a mentally ill killer out of the province because they no longer have the ability to control him.

Earl Joey Wiebe, 26, will be shipped to a high-security forensic unit in either Ontario, Saskatchewan or British Columbia once pending criminal charges are resolved and the paperwork can be finalized. The Criminal Code Review Board has authorized the rare step of transferring Wiebe based on ongoing safety concerns.

"The board has taken into consideration the need to protect the public from dangerous persons, the present mental condition of Mr. Wiebe, his reintegration into society and his other needs," they wrote in a decision obtained by the Free Press.

Board members have recommended the maximum level of security for Wiebe, including being kept in a locked ward and being escorted by at least two sheriff’s officers any time he has to leave the facility, such as for medical treatment.

Wiebe has caused repeated problems since being found not criminally responsible in 2001 for the grisly murder of his stepmother, Candis Moizer, at their home in Niverville. Wiebe’s former treating psychologist believes he faked his mental illness and should be in prison.

Wiebe made national headlines earlier this fall when he was caught hiding a knife, drugs, alcohol and cash in the ceiling tiles of his private room at the Selkirk Mental Health Centre, a medium-security facility.

He also lit his pants on fire in another incident, prompting all doors to the facility to be automatically opened. Wiebe was also caught with a key that allowed him access to several rooms in the building. Justice sources say Wiebe allegedly discussed purchasing a gun to help him flee from the facility, about 25 kilometres north of Winnipeg. He escaped in 2006 and spent three weeks on the run, while calling to taunt staff members, before being nabbed in B.C.

Wiebe was also involved in a romance with a psychiatric nursing student who was hired earlier this year and quickly assigned to be his lone escort during several off-site day trips in which he obtained the contraband. Love letters from the woman — who has since been fired — were also found in Wiebe’s room.

"Clearly this represents a gross breach of security. This causes us to profoundly reconsider how he’s doing and where he’s at," Dr. Steven Kraemer, Wiebe’s treating psychiatrist, testified last month at his annual review board hearing.

Kraemer said Selkirk officials consider this incident the final straw.

"He has shown the ability to circumvent our security. We could not manage his return to our facility, even in the high-risk area," he said. Kraemer said the fact Wiebe struck up a relationship with an employee shows how manipulative he is, adding there are other staff members who are "enamoured with him."

Wiebe appeared at his hearing without a lawyer and was allowed to cross-examine the two witnesses and make his own arguments.

"I don’t fear Selkirk. Selkirk fears me," Wiebe said bluntly.

Crown attorney Corrine Deegan told board members the RCMP have "barely scratched the surface" of their investigation, which includes searching a cellular phone and laptop computer Wiebe had access to. Police are probing whether other staff members and patients may have assisted Wiebe. Selkirk officials have also announced security upgrades and an independent review of operations.

Wiebe’s move out of Manitoba will likely wait until his new criminal charges are dealt with. Until then, he is expected to remain at the Winnipeg Remand Centre.

Wiebe has been locked in a legal battle with medical officials over the type of treatment he should receive. Doctors say he is difficult to treat because he doesn’t suffer from a specific psychotic disorder that can be controlled through medication.

At his trial, defence experts said he suffered from a brief mental "episode" caused by his personality disorder at the time of the killing.

Wiebe has stated that he wishes he were behind bars because he fears he will never be released from Selkirk.

www.mikeoncrime.com