Murder suspect ordered to undergo psychological assessment

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on October 25, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A Lethbridge man who was charged with second-degree murder nearly two years ago, has been ordered to undergo a psychological assessment.

Jade Levi Trotter was scheduled to have a preliminary hearing Monday in Lethbridge provincial court, but it was adjourned after the court ordered the assessment under Section 672 of the Criminal Code.

The section allows a judge to order an assessment of an accused’s mental condition if there are grounds to believe an accused was, at the time of the alleged offence, suffering from a mental disorder that would exempt the accused from criminal responsibility.

The assessment normally takes about 30 days to conduct, but extensions are often granted if necessary.

Trotter, who remains in custody at the Lethbridge Correctional Centre but appeared in person in court Monday, was set for a two-day preliminary hearing. The hearing is typically held to determine whether there is enough evidence to warrant a trial.

Trotter is also charged with one count of break and enter and previously elected to be tried by a Court of King’s Bench judge and jury.

Police responded to a call Feb. 8 of last year that someone was screaming for help, and arrived at an apartment building in the 1200 block of 4 Avenue South to find the body of 65-year-old Glenn Lofthouse. Police arrested Trotter the following day at a residence in the 1100 block of 11 Street South.

Police said the suspect and victim knew each other, and the murder was over a property dispute. Police also recovered a weapon they believe was used to kill Lofthouse.

The matter is scheduled to return to court in December to determine if the assessment has been completed.

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