There were some explosive moments and a shocking revelation at a review hearing for B.C. child-killer Allan Schoenborn in Coquitlam on Wednesday.
Schoenborn was found not criminally responsible for killing his three young children 14 years ago, and has been residing since in the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital, better known as Colony Farm, in Port Coquitlam.
During Wednesday’s hearing, his first in two years, it was revealed that Schoenborn has a new legal name — one he is fighting to keep secret from the public, and that he’s concerned he will be recognized.
Proceedings ultimately concluded with an outburst from Schoenborn, and his lawyer appearing to quit.
“I do think the public has the right to know his new name. I think they have a right to know who is moving into the neighbourhood, who to be concerned about, who their children should be concerned about, who the young ladies should be concerned about,” said Mike Clarke, Schoenborn’s children’s uncle.
Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West had similarly strong words.
“I think it is an absolute travesty that someone who is responsible for such a heinous crime could be able to legally change his name and to try and disassociate himself or cover up his actions,” West said.
Schoenborn stabbed and smothered his 10-year-old daughter along with his eight- and five-year-old sons in Merritt in 2008. He was found not criminally responsible in 2010 on a diagnosis of a delusional disorder.
Wednesday’s review hearing centered on the possibility he could be allowed to live in a B.C. community, outside of the hospital.
A representative for the hospital’s director argued to the review board that Schoenborn “still poses a risk to public safety, therefore he should not be released.”
Crown and defence agreed that he should stay in the hospital for the next 12 months.
Schoenborn’s psychiatrist said the three main sources that could increase his risk for violence include his psychotic illness, personality difficulties, and if he were able to access substances like alcohol.
The psychiatrist, who had been treating him for the last two years, said she believed there has been no change in his diagnosis as far as his mental state and delusional disorder are concerned, which she believes is being managed through medication.
The review board also that heard Schoenborn continues to have anger management issues, and that there have been 15 incidents recorded in the last two years, including being aggressive with staff.
His lawyer, Rishi Gill, argued that Schoenborn’s psychotic illness is under control, that his urine tests have come back clean, and that there have been very few negative interactions in his 14 years at the hospital. Gill added that his client has been on good behaviour during unescorted day passes from the facility in the last two years.
“Mr. Schoenborn is medically problematic and he needs to be treated in a way that we can get him on the route to, at some time, perhaps being reintegrated into society,” Gill said.
But proceedings took a heated turn when questions arose about potential risk factors for violence.
“What the F— is this?” Schoenborn responded.
When the doctor raised the possibility that he posed a risk to children, he erupted.
“This is nuts. No booze. No drugs. No children. Is this what’s going to be on my order?” he said before leaving the room.
Then, the hearing was unexpectedly adjourned when Schoenborn’s lawyer said he could no longer represent him before the board.
Gill said he felt the board chair was staring at him “with daggers” and that the board was being inappropriate and unfair to his client.
Schoenborn, who is now in his mid-50s, was granted unescorted overnight leave for up to 28 days in 2022.
Some of the conditions placed on Schoenborn include no non-prescribed drugs or alcohol, no weapons, and no contact with relatives of his victims.
A victims’ rights advocate told Global News any time Schoenborn has a hearing, it is hard on the family of the victims.
Global News has also learned that Schoenborn and his legal counsel may be trying to block media coverage of his hearings with an application.
“We just don’t know what is going to happen; (the family) is on pins and needles,” victims’ rights advocate Dave Teixeira said.
“This added layer that the child killer, and his lawyer, have put forward these applications to prevent information from getting into the public realm and it is just not a good feeling.”
-With files from Rumina Daya
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