Man charged with attempted murder on ‘suicide watch’

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on October 1, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A 59-year-old Lethbridge man charged with attempted murder was unable to attend his first court appearance Friday because he is on suicide watch.

Duty Counsel lawyer Jeremy DeBow told the judge that Kien Thanh Lam could not attend court because he is unwell and “suicide active” at the Lethbridge Correctional Centre.

“He is in a quarantine unit and not doing well, but we were able to have a conversation,” DeBow said.

DeBow said he sent Legal Aid a referral for the accused to have a lawyer appointed for him, then requested the case be adjourned to Monday. DeBow noted a Cantonese interpreter may be needed, as well.

Lethbridge Police responded to a domestic assault at about 12:30 a.m. Sept. 23 at a home in the Fairmont subdivision. They found both a 59-year old man and 59-year-old woman suffering from stab wounds. They were transported to hospital by EMS, and while the man was later discharged, the woman remained in hospital in stable condition.

Police determined the man assaulted the woman but his injuries were self-inflicted.

Lam is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, assault by choking, uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

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