Accused in Abbotsford school stabbing stays still, mute during court appearance
Posted November 7, 2016 1:26 pm.
Last Updated November 7, 2016 4:06 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
ABBOTSFORD (NEWS 1130) – It was a strange first court appearance for the man accused of stabbing two teens at Abbotsford Senior Secondary School last week, killing one of them.
21-year-old Gabriel Klein was scheduled to appear via video link in Abbotsford Provincial Court this morning. Instead, a sheriff walked into the video conference room and told the judge that Klein refused to leave his cell.
A similar situation unfolded last Wednesday, when he was originally supposed to face a judge.
After an hour delay, Klein showed up on screen sitting shirtless in a wheelchair half-covered by a beige blanket. He spoke no words, made no sounds, and remained still as crown lawyer Rob MacGowan and the judge discussed what to do next.
Klein is facing one count of second-degree murder for the stabbing death of 13-year-old Letisha Reimer, and one count of aggravated assault in the stabbing of her 14-year-old classmate. Since his arrest, he has been examined in hospital twice and deemed non-certifiable.
MacGowan told the judge that Klein is considered fit to engage in court proceedings, but is choosing not to. He has also refused to speak to a lawyer, and does not yet have legal representation.
The judge decided to move the proceedings to Surrey provincial court, closer to where Klein is being held in custody.
He is scheduled to appear again in person Wednesday morning.
