Woman accused in fatal Vancouver stranger attack under psychiatric care

The case of a woman accused in a 2022 fatal stabbing in Vancouver’s Yaletown neighbourhood is on hold as she undergoes treatment at B.C.’s Forensic Psychiatric Hospital.

On July 19, 2022, the Vancouver Police Department announced Lindsay Scott had been charged with second-degree murder and assault in the death of Justin Mohrman.

The 29-year-old was walking near Smithe and Homer streets around 8:30 a.m. on July 11, 2022 when a stranger stabbed him.

On May 16, Crown prosecutor Brendan McCabe KC told Vancouver Provincial Court Judge Andrea Brownstone a four-day preliminary inquiry had been set for May 21-24.

Such hearings are held to determine if enough evidence exist for the case to proceed to trial. They are covered by a publication ban in order not to taint a potential juror pool should an accused elect trial by judge and jury.

Now, McCabe said, with Scott under various “aggressive” treatments at the hospital, she would likely be able to properly participate in the preliminary hearing.

Defence lawyer John Turner said the treatment leaves Scott sedated and confused.

“Clearly, it’s exceptional circumstances,” McCabe told the court about the need to push back the preliminary dates.

Police said at the time there was no evidence to suggest the victim and his attacker knew each other.

“We believe they were strangers,” Sgt. Steve Addison said.

Police arrested Scott shortly after the incident at Main and Hastings.

She has been in custody at Maple Ridge’s Alouette Correctional Centre for Women.

Turner told Judge James Sutherland Nov. 23 Scott’s mental state at the time of the allegations is an issue.