Accessibility/Mobile Features
Skip Navigation
Editorial News
Entertainment|
Business|
Sports|
Lifestyles|
Opinion|
Agriculture|
Multimedia|
Classified Sites

Latest News

Brandon Sun - ONLINE EDITION

Province apologizes for timing of announcement on Li

More guards, but no fence for Li's walks on grounds of mental-health centre

By: Larry Kusch

30/07/2010 1:31 PM | Comments: 81

Vince Li, who beheaded 22-year-old Tim McLean on a Greyhound bus less than two years ago today, is ready to leave his locked ward for supervised outings, his doctor told a review board earlier this year.

Enlarge Image

Vince Li, who beheaded 22-year-old Tim McLean on a Greyhound bus less than two years ago today, is ready to leave his locked ward for supervised outings, his doctor told a review board earlier this year. (FILE PHOTO)

Tim McLean

Enlarge Image

Tim McLean (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

The province apologized this morning for releasing, on the anniversary of Tim McLean's death, information on new security measures that will allow his killer, Vince Li, to walk the grounds of the Selkirk Mental Health Centre.

"If the timing of this information has caused one ounce additional pain to the McLean family, I certainly want to offer my profound regret for that," Health Minister Theresa Oswald told reporters this morning. She said the timing of the announcement was inadvertent.

"This is a family that has endured pain (that), thankfully, very few of us will ever know and no family should ever know," Oswald said. "And so if more information about the development of Mr. Li’s treatment on this day, or any day, hurts that family further, I think we should all feel regret for that. And certainly I do."

Li was found not criminally responsible last year for the July 30, 2008 beheading of 22-year-old McLean on a Greyhound bus near Portage la Prairie. He admitted responsibility for the attack, but a judge found him to be suffering from hallucinations and untreated schizophrenia at the time, which left him unable to appreciate or control his actions.

His doctors have said Li has made tremendous progress in the past two years at the centre, and two months ago the Criminal Code Review Board ruled that Li could begin taking two brief supervised outdoor passes a day.

A public uproar ensued and the province announced that Li wouldn’t be allowed to leave the centre’s secure forensic unit  additional security precautions were in place

Friday, the province issued a press release describing the new measures, adding that it would take an additional two months before they would be in force and Li would begin his strolls.

The new plan does not include the construction of a fence around the grounds that some in the community had called for.

Two more full-time security officers have been hired and will be dedicated to escorting forensic patients, including Li,  when required under disposition orders. A clinical staff member will also escort patients in such cases.

The walks will be restricted to periods when staff numbers are at their peak.

All risks will be assessed by the treatment team before Li — or any other patient requiring such security measures — is given a pass to walk the grounds.

The Selkirk centre says it has shared its security plans with the RCMP and will advise the Mounties when the walks begin.

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca


 

History

Updated on Friday, July 30, 2010 at 12:00 PM CDT:
Tweaks headline, adds information.

Updated on Friday, July 30, 2010 at 12:34 PM CDT:
new headline and story updated with apology from province

  • Rate this Rate This Star Icon
  • This article has not yet been rated.

    • We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high. If you thought it was well written, do the same. If it doesn’t meet your standards, mark it accordingly.

    You can also register and/or login to the site and join the conversation by leaving a comment.

    Rate it yourself by rolling over the stars and clicking when you reach your desired rating. We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high.

81 Commentscomment icon

I am so sick of hearing about Vince Li. Put your pitch forks and torches away people.

@Mar

Canada doesn't deport people who are found not criminally responsible.

"Maybe he could reside in your place???"

There are already four variations of that over-used line on this page, making yours the fifth. It's really not as clever as you and your buddies think it is.

Chris buors - anyone can right anything on wikipedia. Don't waste my time by sending me there

2 choices for him...

Get deported back & never return.
Or spend the rest of his life in confinement. And if his doc wants him to have some fresh air & sunshine...open a barred window.
NO ONE living in Selkirk wants Li walking around. How long, dear Doctor, do you think it would be BEFORE Li (once discharged & out on his own)stops taking his meds & strikes again??? He seems better to you BECAUSE he's taking his meds...simple as that. Maybe he could reside in your place??? I thought so.

People, we don't have to be at either extreme here. We can understand that Li has a mental illness, and therefore he shouldn't be in prison, he should get meds, therapy, and a highly supervised walk outside. Yet, he should also never get out of the institution, because of the fact that he, when experiencing a psychotic episode, gets violent. Not every schizophrenic does. But in no way should he get any worse treatment just because he killed someone in a more horrific way than other murderers do.

Mental illness does exist, and by 2010 we should all realize that. Chances are you all know at least one person who has a form of mental illness. Personally I knew someone with schizophrenia, and he killed himself. It is a very real, very serious disease. But even less obvious ones are bi-polar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression...these are extremely common, and can be very detrimental to someone's life. I can promise you that you all know at least a couple people who have those diseases, even if you don't realize it.

So please try and understand both sides of the story here. It is so very sad what happened, and I feel very much for the family of Tim. Yet, we can't begin to think that we should treat Li inhumanely based on the violence of his crime, without trying to understand what made him do that. The world doesn't operate in extremes, therefore we shouldn't think that way.

whosays

Where do you get that Li has a disease when Szasz clearly states no behavior is a disease.

The man is not in Selkirk because of a malfunctions of the human body, of the heart, the liver, the kidney, or the brain. Li is in Selkirk because of his behavior. Epilepsy and Multiple Sclerosis are malfunctions of the brain. So-called schizophrenia is a malfunction of the mind. The mind is a metaphor and can not be found on the autopsy table.

If you want to read what Szasz says about Li type "Beheading on a Bus by Thomas Szasz" into a search engine and that article will clear up any confusion you have.

Szasz makes a lot more sense than what Dr. Jonathan Rootenberg had to say at Li's trial.

ekrh- I know exactly what Li was suffering from; don't get twisted up in your own assumptions. But whatever it was, doesn't justify McLeans' death in any way whatsoever, it still should be treated like a crime. At the very least, Li should be deported out of the country because cannibalism doesn't get supported in Canada regardless in what shape or form it comes in. Whatever happened is what happened. The way things are going, Li should be walking free by your very own house in 5 years, and maybe out into my own area is 7. Think about it...

he should be deported back to his own country...

DaveA

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Buors

There are no lies there and most of it was put in by my critics.

And I have read about 20 of Szasz's 26 books. Wiki has a very good write up on the man and his ideas.

Just for something to think about: Let's say in 10 yrs, Li is released because his meds and treatment have 'proven' that he is all better. How many of you would invite Li over for dinner and then allow him to sleep in your house? Just like the euthanized grizzly bear, I would never ever trust that Li would never kill again. Would you?

Chris Buors - lol if you believe anything you read on wikipedia I have some swamp land to sell you.

Mental illness or not, this man does not deserve to be outside. What he did to Tim was an awful thing and it's been affecting those close to him ever since.
RIP Tim, we miss you.

Tremendous progress? More likely great acting skills. This killer should have to sear leg irons anywhere he can possibly leg it. I don't care that this is a hospital, this is a killer who would do it again. Let his docs take him home for the weekend if they are so sure, and keep the public safe.

Hey buors - your hero says...

"Diseases are "malfunctions of the human body, of the heart, the liver, the kidney, the brain" while "no behavior..."

That says it all. Thanks. Li has a disease.

Thanks for clearing that up. We can all agree Li has a disease...by definition, by your buddy.

The only thing worse than an NDP Health Minster would be a Conservative Health Minister (10 times worse) but they're learning how to pounce in NDP mistakes.

ok Tom Cruise...

Szasz continued.....

* Psychiatry actively obscures the difference between (mis)behavior and disease, in its quest to help or harm parties to conflicts. By calling certain people "diseased", psychiatry attempts to deny them responsibility as moral agents, in order to better control them.

People who are said (by themselves or others) to "have" a mental illness can only have, at best, a "fake disease." Diagnoses of "mental illness" or "mental disorder" (the latter expression called by Szasz a "weasel term" for mental illness) are passed off as "scientific categories" but they remain merely judgments (judgments of disdain) to support certain uses of power by psychiatric authorities. In that line of thinking, schizophrenia is not the name of a disease entity but a judgment of extreme psychiatric and social reprobation. Szasz calls schizophrenia "the sacred symbol of psychiatry" because those so labeled have long provided and continue to provide justification for psychiatric theories, treatments, abuses, and reforms.

And once you have an understanding of the argument you will come to understand why "schiophrenia" needs the support of the law.

Truth stands on its own and lies like schizophrenia need the support of government.

The Insanity defense ought to be abolished.

If anybody here is tired of being told they don't understand mental illness or schizophrenia and to educate themselves I suggest they start their education by reading some of the works of psychiatry's harshest critic.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Szasz

His main arguments can be summarised as follows:

* The myth of mental illness: "Mental illness" is an expression, a metaphor that describes an offending, disturbing, shocking, or vexing conduct, action, or pattern of behavior, such as schizophrenia, as an "illness" or "disease". Szasz wrote: "If you talk to God, you are praying; If God talks to you, you have schizophrenia. If the dead talk to you, you are a spiritualist; If you talk to the dead, you are a schizophrenic."[8] While people behave and think in ways that are very disturbing, and that may resemble a disease process (pain, deterioration, response to various interventions), this does not mean they actually have a disease. To Szasz, disease can only mean something people "have," while behavior is what people "do". Diseases are "malfunctions of the human body, of the heart, the liver, the kidney, the brain" while "no behavior or misbehavior is a disease or can be a disease. That's not what diseases are" Szasz cites drapetomania as an example behavior which many in society did not approve of, being labeled and widely cited as a 'disease' and likewise with women who did not bow to men's will as having "hysteria"[9] ......

To get serious and Tina, I want you to know that I fully agree that Li did a terrible, horrific thing. I also want everyone (especially you two) to know that Schizophrenia is such a powerful, mind altering disease that it actually physiologically changes the chemistry of the affected individuals brain. Clinical therapy is the best kind of treatment for this mental disease and I don't think that is it fair to say he never deserves to leave the grounds. If he is under treatment and constant supervision and has control over his condition, then WHY is it such a problem?? I understand that fear for public safety is the issue at hand, but with constant supervision, medication, and support, Li will be able to progress towards a more mentally healthy self. He did not mean to kill poor Tim, it was a fault of the undiagnosed schizphrenia.
Can we please show a bit more humanity towards Li?

If anyone should be apologizing, it's Justice Minister Andrew Swan for sticking his nose into a review board ruling that he had no authority to overrule. If not for that, there would have been no announcement today. And, really, how have the security precautions changed from the original ruling? Added one guard. Yeah, all that hysteria was reeeeeally worth it.

I notice Swan's name was conspicuously absent from this story. Gee, I wonder why. Not!

At least the Freep didn't print all the gory details this time. I'm sure we're all indebted to @debbadoo for filling that void.

"I certainly want to offer my profound regret for that,"

Free Press: You got the stupid headline WRONG.

Notice she didn't say APOLOGY. That's because she's not offering her apology...she's offering her regret. Which ISN'T THE SAME THING.

Why doesn't anyone point out the difference? The province has the media by the balls!! They're manipulating the media and the media is kissing their behind!

Hope you're proud Free Press..you're eating their slop and saying.MMMMM DELICIOUS.

THAT'LL BE THE DAY THAT YOU'LL EVER HEAR THERESA OSWALD USE THE WORD APOLOGIZE.

Wake up.

Betty do u know anything about mental illness? Just curious

I think some day the NDP government will regret their decision in allowing this animal out on walks. He does not deserve to be anywhere but in jail or worse.

hutterite1- The reason he's not behind bars is because he has schizophrenia. I would suggest you do some hard research on mental illness, as you admit you don't know anything about why he's not behind bars.

Were he in jail, without meds and/or therapy, he would most definitely hurt a staff member or another inmate. Do you want that? I should hope not. I believe he should never be released, but for goodness sakes it's just an escorted walk. Maybe there should be a fence, but if he's taking his meds, and has increased security guards, then I'm not too worried about anything happening.

There's a reason why we're proud to be Canadian. Because we value a little thing called human rights. We are also supposed to be evolved enough to recognize mental illness, although some of us seem to still be down there in medival times.

lit123: are you for real?

Talk about kicking the family in the groin...someone should be fired for this. That said, I think all criminals should be put in the mental hospital. Our jails are full of people with severe mental illness. I'll still vote for the government, but someone, maybe the minister should be fired.

Honestly, they're going to have to watch Li like a hawk because if he runs off or something, they're going to have to track him down in a hurry. I'm sure that he'll be okay as long as he takes his meds. I am a person living with a social disability (asperger's) and it appalls me to see some very harsh judgments on people with mental illesses/disabilities. I do agree that this ruling shouldn't have happened today, it's like a kick in the face for the McLean family yet again and I feel really bad for them. They must be so angry at the justice system right about now!

Well NOW that Li is well enough to be walking on the property, maybe he should be sent to jail for life. I don't know how this justice system works because it is so messed up it isn't even funny. The Bible states it best. An eye for an eye. Time to start taking the laws around Canada more seriously, bring back the death penalty, bring back long sentences, forget about the smack on the wrist, garbage enough is enough when are our politicians going to get off of their butts and start making harsher laws for these criminals. When something like this happens to a higher up's family member. It is sick to see this kind of injustice happen, especially when a life is taken of an innocent person.
To the McLean family, I am so very very sorry that you have lost your son, brother, uncle and friend the way you had. I wish the legal system felt the same way as most of us do, if they did they would have locked Li away and thrown away the key instead of making excuses for him.

Cam anything ever be done right around here?

I would be surprised if there was not a fence on this facility at one time, but it may have been removed in these "politically correct" times.

I still don't understand why he's not behind bars... What the heck does a guy have to do in order to get locked up for life these days. This man took another mans life, even for the sake of the victims family, Li should be put behind bars. Forgiveness is key, yes; but that's not everything to this situation. I cannot see what and where the consequences are for the actions of Li. If a jury, any jury of 12 were to have decided, Li would be in the basement of Stony Mountain; not residing at a hospital.
To McLeans' family: I pray for you. May God give you strength through these tough times.

I assume the "no fences" decision was based on cost, and maybe also concerns that it would negatively affect Li's treatment. What I don't get is why they don't use shock and/or tracking anklets. In the unlikely event Li, or any other high-risk patient/inmate tries running, the anklet delivers a tazer-like shock to bring him down, and/or tells the authorities exactly where he is. Seems like a no-brainer to me

avatar


Manitoba Minister of Health Theresa Oswald apologized to McLean's family."

Now, why in hell would the Minister apologize to the McLean family unless she thought that the news release would once again torment the family.

Only the innocent are forced to suffer and suffer, having to repeatedly be reminded of the tragedy.

Oh yes, the doctors will see that this beast is released, you can bet on it. Then, they can watch their experiment unfold.

He should not be aloud out at all!!! As for the province, you should be ashamed of yourselves , could not have picked another day... Anyone that loses a loved one especially a child would understand that the anniversary of their death is like loosing them all over again. Let's all hope that he does not escape one of his outings.

I agree that the news could not have happened on a worse day for the family. But being a person that actually works near (ie right beside the Selkirk Mental Hospital) it doesn't bother me in the slightest that Li will be going on escorted walks. Why? Because he was sick and has made considerable improvements, enough to be allowed to walk outside escorted by professionals. He will not be left alone and will not "escape." He won't be given weapons or any other nonsense. Why should we fear people from there? Is the mental institution a prison now and in need a fence? Do you want to walk by and gawk at them like you're at zoo? He commited a terrible crime, but he wasn't in a frame of mind to judge right and wrong. Everyone needs more compassion for those living with a mental illness or disability. He was sick and is recieving help, maybe if mental illnesses were better understood and treated this tragedy might never have happened. I hope that Li does get the help he needs and that the family gets the closure they need.

Very clear that very few including mcleans mother understand li's mental illness.

What I have a problem is that this individual is under the HEALTH ministry, and not JUSTICE. Get him all the treatment he needs, but he should remain under the control of the Ministry of Justice until he is deemed fit to be released.

This is not just any ordinary psychiatric patient.

oswald is not the joke, the system is. li will be open to those of you who would like to visit him.

To say that forgiveness is the only way to get past this event is easy for someone to say who has not experienced such a horrific event. We can empathize with the McLean family, but please don't sound so self-righteous and holier-than-thou on how they should deal with their grief.

Are you kidding me? There was a public uproar because we didn't want Li to have any privileges at all. We didn't mean go ahead and put some fences up so he go for his walks. And to announce this on an anniversary date just sickens me.

Comrade Oswald and government staff need to enrol in sensitivity programs in order to learn how to conduct themselves when it comes to high profile issues....

the should accidently set him free too!

once a canibal, always a canibal. it wouldn't take that guy much effort to escape that place once he's out on the grounds. i hope he's in chains on in some way teathered to a guard.

D20...nope, being sick is NOT a crime, but chopping the head off of an innocent man on his way home and EATING parts of that man IS a crime.

I have a terrible distaste in my mouth. The McLean family did nothing wrong and I see them having to suffer the injustices because of this Li. As far as I am concerned, the McLean's have not received any form of justice in losing their child to a monster. I am truly sorry you have to go through this.

avatar


Absolutely unbelieavable! To kill anyone, one has to be insane so the next thing we know they will all be found "not responsible for their actions" by reason of insanity. [edited]

avatar

Health Minister Theresa Oswald should be fired now. It just goes on and on with her no idea when something goes wrong. The ndp has failed so bad its time for them to go. [edited]

J - In America you can be found not criminally responsible for a crime as well, by way of insanity, so you have no idea what you are talking about. Thanks for coming out though!

Announcements are made to coincide with the events that are being announced. Should the government have held back something for a day to prevent it being announced on some specific day?
No.

The whole thing was merely a coincidence, not fate or intent.

Health Minister Oswald is a joke. I feel very bad for the McLean family, I can only guess how devastated they are feeling.

Carlos suggests to wpg_gal to try studying psychiatry and sociology and leave things to the experts, well so far that has not helped many victims of mentally ill patients, many when released have offend again and I am sure the next thing Li will be released, sad day. I think if it was a member of your family Carlos you wouldn't see things that way.

Just build a fence and have escorts. What's what doing stuff half assed?

i NEVER check for anniversaries and birthdays when i make an announcement - the government need not apologize for a coincidence

avatar

Agree'd with Ekrh - Texas' justice system is HARDLY one to aspire to... the state that lets murders and pedophiles go free early on account of crowded jails, but because of the 3 strike rule there are non-violent criminals doing life sentances...

yea - not what I'm looking for in a criminal justice system. Ours needs work - but Texas can keep their brand of justice all for themselves thank you. Enjoy your stay there.

Is he supposed to go back to delivering newspapers someday? Sorry, I just can't picture that.

I sent my prayers out to the family that is going through so much right now and the province they always were like that and it will never change they hide behind paper it would of been easier to appoligize to the family in person, and as far as Li this monster should of gotten life with out parole and to be allowed to walk come on now.

avatar

For everyone tearing Oswald a new one - do you really think she PERSONALLY released (or was even AWARE of) this particular news release - this is an old issue, that was adressed and hashed out in the 'court of public opinion' months ago.
Her portfolio is MASSIVE, and it's highly unlikely and impractical to think she personally has the ability to double check and proofread and approve every single press release that goes out.
If this is the type of mistake that warrants firing and re-election then absolutely NOTHING will ever be accomplished by our government. People are human.

They recognized their mistake and apologised, that's enough for me. (and emphasis on THEY - this was not Mrs Oswald's mistake - or any one person - this was likely a cascading set of oversights and errors that weren't caught until it was too late).

It's a thankless job she has - and I'm pretty disgusted to see that everyone here seems to think they could do it so much better than her.

Mrs Oswald - I can only imagine how difficult it is to have every single error your department makes loaded on your head and used to make you out to be evil incarnate. Thank you for the work you do, and my apologies for my fellow citizens and their apparent belief that they themselves are perfect.

Great scoop and what a crock. Can anyone get any lower?

I do not think comments should have been accepted on this story. It seems to bring out the worst in people.

First of all my thoughts and prayers go out to Tim McLean's family and friends at this difficult time.
I am totally appalled that the Province would release this information on the anniversary of such a terrible tragedy. What were they thinking! The plans for escorted walks has been in the works for quite some time and I'm sure we all knew it would happen. Why did this official announcement have to be made today or even this week since the walks are not planned for another two months. Our Health Minister feels the public needs to be kept informed....we could have waited. The apology doesn't cut it with me.

Rest In Peace Tim.

As usual, the focus of the media and the politicos is always on the rights of the perpetrators. Deepest sympathies to the McLean family. Ms. Oswald, you should truly be ashamed of yourself!!

J- "I cannot wait until I move to TX! At least their justice system doesn't lack the balls that ours does."

That may be, but unlike Texas, Canada isn't known for being racist, sexist, or homophobic. Our system could be improved, but I'd rather be surrounded by a bunch of bleeding heart liberals than gun-toting rednecks.

"Province Apologizes for Timing of Announcement on Li"

So now "profound regret" means I'm sorry????? Okay......so when we bump into someone accidentally we now say "I profoundly regret doing that".

Keep it simple, Oswald: "To the family and friends of Tim McLean: We are sorry for releasing this information on the painful anniversary of Tim McLean's horrible death and for causing further grief to you."

My thoughts and prayers are with the entire McLean family as they have to relive what this awful anniversary day represents.

my question is, if this had been one of your beloved family members would you be so forgiving? this is really the question you have to ask yourself.
as far as the "experts" go, they have been wrong far too many times to allow me to be comfortable with vince li being allowed in the public.

What a waste of money trying to rehabilitate Li. He should have been deported back to where he came from. Once he's deported, whatever his native country decides to do with him is up to them!

Another major screw-up by the NDP. Doesn't Oswald have a brain? Oswald thinks we should all have regret? She screwed up.

I, and I'm sure there's many, share the Macleans' outrage towards the government's obvious lack of compassion for their tragic loss.

Oh well it looks like the province apologized, that's good of them. Although, foresight is a wonderful thing. It would've been nice if they had thought of this before hand.

This is disgusting and it's just further proof that the government, or any politician for that matter, really does NOT care about any citizen. Even those who have suffered such a tragic loss. Politicians are purely in it for themselves and the fat pension they get. You would think the health minister would have the COMMON SENSE to wait a couple of days to make the announcement. But, then again, she most likely didn't even remember or care to check what day Tim was murdered by this monster. She should be fired from her post as health minister and voted out of office next election.Does she just have not even a single shred of compassion? (edited)

I can appreciate the fact that the majority of the hospital is used to house elderly people suffering from Alzheimers, or yother people suffering from various mental illness' - but there should be one section at least that is completely fenced in for those responsible for murders are kept.

My opinion only - and it's worth nothing in this Country, but I can't help but share it for those of you willing to hear me out.

This is just another example of how stupid the provincial government is. Its hightime for an election

Too bad that this news had to come on this particular day. In the newspaper's defense, they do have to report the news, whether it's an appropriate time to do so or not. However, a mention that this is the anniversary might be a show of compassion on their part, perhaps.

This is at least good news that the authorities are taking this issue seriously and are putting more security measures in place. I really think a fence should be there regardless of this Li situation, but especially with this. And it would probably be cheaper, as well. Either way, looking at this objectively, at least Li is receiving his human rights, and at least the public is more safe. So I think this is as good of news as we can really expect.

I feel for the family and friends of Tim McLean, and I hope that they don't always have to be reminded of Li and what happened, and can hopefully focus on the good times they had with Tim.

First off...Theresa Olwald; I DO NOT believe a word of what you say!

Some FYI...
-Daycare on the premises of the mental...
-Over 2 dozen NCR "patients" are there with most getting unsupervised walks
-He and the other "patients" do already get the sunlight and fresh air that they are claiming as a human neccessity - inside the courtyard the is fully surrounded by the unit itself!

I cannot wait until I move to TX! At least their justice system doesn't lack the balls that ours does.

I am going to stop now as I cannot stand to hear anymore about this INJUSTICE to everyone who cares about Tim, his family & friends and anyone else who is highly disgusted with this intire travesty!

[edited]

@Carlos

"You're correct, forgiveness is the only way to move past this horrible, life altering experience."

punishing a killer is also a good way past. Even if you dont see it that way.

wpg_gal: It's a hospital, not a prison; not all patients are extended the same privileges and freedoms; some patients are kept on locked wards; and most of the patients aren't dangerous and haven't committed any kind of crime. Enough reasons for you?

@wpg_gal: you ask, "How on Earth is there not a fence around the Selkirk Mental Health Centre in the first place?"

I'd suggest that you study psychiatry, sociology, etc. get years of clinical experience and then you will have your answer. Until then, why don't you defer to the experts - unless you feel that public opinion should trump knowledgeable opinion?

@roomie: You're correct, forgiveness is the only way to move past this horrible, life altering experience. Certainly not an easy thing to do, especially in a society that worships revenge and retribution.

avatar

Wpg-Gal - there is no fence because it is not a jail. it is a hospital.
Being sick is not a crime.

Whether Li belongs there or not is a seperate issue and not one that I am willing to get into on this particular day (and yea - FP staff - poor taste. could this not have waited a day?).

But fencing in 'those people' at the mental health hospital is a horrific suggestion.

We don't live in China. Human rights actually mean something here.

@Sarah G & wpg_gal - the problem with a fence is that it make the mental health centre into a zoo. "That's where the mentals live". It's not acceptable. Most of the people who are receiving treatment there have not committed any illegal act. They are just not well. It would be like having a fence around the Health Sciences Centre. It's just wrong.

How on Earth is there not a fence around the Selkirk Mental Health Centre in the first place?? I'm willing to bet that Vince Li is not the only dangerous offender who's been deemed "not criminally responsible" for horrific crimes against innocent people... I'd really like to know the reasoning behind the decision to hold people who have done such terrible things at a facility that doesn't even put a barrier between them and the innocent public when they are let outside of the building. Seems like common sense to me to have a fence there..

The PR person responsible for the release of this article should be fired and they should be ashamed of themselves. (it is July 30th) Don't you people have any compassion??????

How sad. I bet the cost of paying extra security guards and a clinical staff member is more than the cost of a fence.

Prayers being sent for the family of Tim.

avatar

If anyone should be getting help it should be the macleans and the ones who had to watch this whole thing happen. Also dr yaren and Chris somerville should be charged if li is ever released and does another crime. Remember it was experts in the field of these two that actually gave li the first chance. Now they want to give him another one. Enough is enough . [edited]

What a thing to wake up to on the Anniversary of Tim's McLean's passing .
We are saddened by the article ,,,We Love you Tim ,,,,Dad and Mom and all your family.

So Vince Li gets to go for a walk. To all the whiners, it is not worth whining about this issue. Whining will not undo the dastardly deed that occurred, will not bring back poor Tim McLean, and will not bring solace to his family. The decision to give Li walk privileges is out of the control of the people who are troubled. The only thing to bring solace is to accept some sort of peace with the situation that is.

The comment period for this story has expired and the we are no longer accepting comments on this story.

letters

Make text: Larger | Smaller

Ads by Google