Abbotsford stabbing suspect, Gabriel Klein, has finally made his first court appearance almost one week after the tragic incident at Abbotsford Senior Secondary School.
After refusing to leave his cell and speak with a lawyer, he did appear just before noon on Monday via video link. He appeared to be naked, covered with a blanket and did not say anything.
He was then wheeled away in a wheelchair.
Crown said Klein has been to hospital twice and he’s not currently certified under the Mental Health Act.
He was certified last week after he was arrested but a psychologist decertified him on Wednesday, the day after the stabbing.
The 21-year-old is charged with second-degree murder and aggravated assault in connection with last week’s attack that killed teenager Letisha Reimer and injured another young girl who has not been identified.
Few details are known about Klein. The Integrated Homicide Investigations Team (IHIT) took the unusual step last week of releasing Klein’s photo to the public in the hopes of finding out more about him.
FULL COVERAGE: Abbotsford Senior Secondary School stabbing
Police do know he is originally from Alberta and has been in Vancouver since February or March of this year but has no fixed address.
A former friend of Klein’s spoke to Global News last week, saying he was “completely shocked” when he heard about Klein’s arrest.
“Back in high school, he was never the kind of person to even come across angry,” said Tanner McDougall. “I don’t think I even remember hearing about him getting in a fight or even having somebody mad at him.”
Klein is scheduled to next appear in court on Wednesday.
-With files from Phil Heidenreich
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