Accused in stabbing incident may seek release

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on October 4, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A 59-year-old Lethbridge man charged with attempted murder may seek his release from custody when he returns to court for a bail hearing in two weeks.

The accused, Kien Thanh Lam, appeared in Lethbridge provincial court Monday, where duty counsel lawyer Jeremy DeBow, as well as a Cantonese interpreter, assisted him before the matter was adjourned to Oct. 17.

Lam, who attended court by CCTV from the Lethbridge Correctional Centre, cried often and loudly during his hearing, particularly after the interpreter explained the Crown is opposed to his release and he will remain in custody at least until his bail hearing. DeBow told court he had already notified Legal Aid that the accused will need a lawyer.

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.

Lam was unable to attend his first court hearing last week because he was on suicide watch, and it was obvious during Monday’s hearing the accused was still distraught and had difficulty understanding what was happening in court. Even though he agreed to wait for a lawyer before he had a bail hearing, it was clear he didn’t understand and asked if he was going to be released right away.

DeBow told Lam to call Legal Aid, but Judge John Maher suggested that may be too difficult given the accused’s lack of understanding and language barrier.

“The language problem here is so significant, I don’t think there’s any point in telling him to call Legal Aid,” Maher said. “Legal Aid is going to have to have to get in touch with him and they’re going to have to have an interpreter or somebody that speaks his language.”

During a break in the proceeding, the accused was able to contact Legal Aid with the assistance of an interpreter.

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