WINNIPEG – A man who beheaded and cannibalized a fellow passenger on a Greyhound bus in Manitoba is expected to ask for his freedom today.
Will Baker, formerly known as Vince Li, was found not criminally responsible for the killing of Tim McLean in 2008.
Diagnosed with schizophrenia, Baker was initially kept inside a secure wing at the Selkirk Mental Health Centre.
He was gradually granted more freedom over the years at annual appearances before the Criminal Code Review Board, and started living on his own last year, but is still subject to monitoring and random drug tests.
Baker’s annual review is scheduled for this afternoon and the victim’s mother, Carol de Delley, says justice officials have told her Baker’s lawyer will ask for an absolute discharge.
De Delley has said that would mean there would be no more monitoring to ensure Baker continues to take his medication.
Baker sat next to the 22-year-old McLean on the bus after the young man smiled at him and asked how he was doing.
Baker said he heard the voice of God telling him to kill the young carnival worker or “die immediately.”
He repeatedly stabbed McLean while the young man fought for his life. As passengers fled the bus, Baker continued stabbing and mutilating the body before he was arrested.
His medical team has said he has been a model patient and understands the need to continue to take anti-psychotic medication.
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled in 1999 that a review board must order an absolute discharge if a person doesn’t pose a significant threat to public safety.
The ruling added there must be clear evidence of a significant risk to the public for the review board to continue imposing conditions after a person is found not criminally responsible.
Manitoba Conservative member of Parliament James Bezan, who represents the Selkirk area, said Baker’s request for a discharge should be denied.
