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by LBx_Archive
Winnipeg Free Press
Breaking News
Li asks court to 'kill me now'
Horrific details of homicide aboard bus recounted
Updated: August 5, 2008 at 01:42 PM CDT
Warning: The following story contains graphic descriptions.
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE — Shocking details of the gruesome decapitation slaying aboard a Greyhound bus last week emerged in court here this morning, prompting a judge to order a psychiatric assessment of accused killer Vincent Li.
The 40-year-old man, facing second-degree murder charges, refused to speak to a lawyer or the judge, communicating only through grunts and vigorous 'yes' or 'no' head shakes.
At one point, however, he was overheard to say "Kill me now."
Crown attorney Joyce Dalymn outlined the entire case against Li, who is charged with the unprovoked killing of Tim McLean, 22.
The case has made headlines around the world and produced an outpouring of grief and anger.
Dalmyn went through all of the evidence in an attempt to show why a mental-health evaluation is required to determine if Li is fit to stand trial and whether he can be held criminally responsible.
There was no publication ban.
Dalmyn said Li attacked a sleeping McLean for absolutely no reason, stabbing him as many as 40 times while 36 horrified passengers looked on.
He got McLean on the ground and then sat on top of him, in the aisle of the bus, stabbing away with a large hunting knife, court was told.
A passenger called 911 while the Greyhound driver pulled over at the side of the Trans Canada Highway, allowing all the passengers to flee.
The driver then locked the bus with just Li and a mortally wounded McLean inside.
Police rushed to the scene and surrounded the bus. Officers then watched in horror as Li began carrying around McLean's severed head and appeared to be taunting them with it, court was told.
Li said nothing to police, except telling them at one point "I have to stay on this bus forever", said Dalmyn.
At one point, Li began cutting other body parts off and was even seen to consume some of them, she said.
There were audible gasps in the packed courtroom at this revelation, including from several members of McLean's family.
"He appeared to be focused on his victim. He did not appear to be drunk or high," said Dalmyn.
"This was a completely random attack. There's been no link established (between Li and McLean)."
Police didn't storm the bus, waiting until Li smashed out a window and tossed a bloody knife and scissors towards them.
Li then jumped from the broken window -- cutting his hand on the shards of glass -- and was arrested.
Police searched him and found several severed body parts, including an ear, nose and partial mouth, inside a plastic bag in his pocket, court was told.
Police tried to interview Li but he refused to make verbal responses, Dalmyn said. However, he did mutter that he was "guilty" at least four times, she said.
Court was told this morning that Li's common-law wife claims the man spent four days in a psychiatric ward in Alberta recently. RCMP are trying to confirm the claims.
Li came to Canada back in 2001, living in Winnipeg for nearly five years before leaving his wife and moving to Edmonton, court was told.
He had been exhibiting "bizarre and unusual behaviour" in recent weeks and months, said Dalmyn.
As the Free Press reported this past weekend, a Winnipeg family and several members of the church Li attended tried to convince him to go see a doctor.
They had concerns he was schizophrenic, possible paranoid schizophrenic. Li refused.
Legal Aid assigned lawyer Randy Janis to try and speak with Li this weekend. He told court this morning that Li is refusing to communicate with him.
Li confirmed that he doesn't want a lawyer and doesn't agree with the court-ordered assessment through the shaking of his head.
A Winnipeg psychologist now has 30 days to complete a detailed report on Li, which will determine what the next step in the process is. Their first meeting is set for this Thursday.
Li's case has been adjourned until Sept. 8.
