Man charged in Quebec’s election-night shooting fit to stand trial

MONTREAL – The man charged in Quebec’s election-night shooting has been declared mentally fit to stand trial.

Richard Henry Bain will face criminal charges, a judge ruled Monday. The accused responded by proclaiming that his verdict must be divine will, with Jesus having spoken through the court.

The question of whether Bain would face a trial had loomed large since the Sept. 4 shooting, with his fitness hearing being delayed several times.

The fishing-lodge owner faces 16 charges, including first-degree murder, related to the attack at a downtown Montreal club where the Parti Quebecois was celebrating its election victory last September.

A stagehand was shot dead and another was wounded by a single bullet.

Premier Pauline Marois, who was giving a victory speech inside the theatre, has said she believes she was the target of a political assassination attempt.

The case has been beset by delays after Bain initially refused to speak to a psychiatrist who spoke to him in French, then additional time was needed to translate documents into English. Scheduling conflicts with the psychiatrist, and the need to consult other documents, have also caused delays.

The judge had said he wanted to get the issue of fitness out of the way so the case could move forward.

Bain will also have to figure out who will represent him. While he’s being represented by a legal-aid lawyer for now, he doesn’t qualify for the service.

Bain has told the court he can’t afford a lawyer.