Edmonton man loses appeal continued detention in mental health system

Jordan Kankam, 28, was found not criminally responsible for repeatedly stabbing his mother in 2013 when he was in the midst of a psychotic episode.

Kankam was 19 years old when he attacked his mother Georgina, stabbing her more than 50 times with a pair of kitchen knives.

In 2015, a judge found Kankam not criminally responsible by reason of mental disorder , ruling his schizophrenia made him incapable of understanding his actions.

Critics say people who are found NCR frequently “languish” in the system indefinitely, remaining under review board authority for longer than if they had been criminally convicted and sent to prison.

During last Wednesday’s Court of Appeal hearing, lawyer Jacqueline Petrie argued Kankam was being detained for “petty, troublesome behaviour” rather than a real threat.

Kankam attributed his substance use to the boredom, stress and isolation of living in a psychiatric hospital — including during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“To me, Mr. Kankam’s case perfectly illustrates why so many people found not criminally responsible on account of a mental disorder languish in the forensic system for years, even decades,” she said in an email.

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