Crown applies to have serial rapist Charles Desjarlais assessed to determine dangerous offender status

An application has been filed to have serial rapist Charles “Charlie” Desjarlais labeled as a dangerous offender.

In November, Desjarlais pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual assault with a weapon in relation to the 1997 rape of a woman in Calgary. It’s the latest in a long string of sex-related offences for Desjarlais dating back to 1982.

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The Crown had intended to seek dangerous offender status for Desjarlais but was granted a delay by the court for the Christmas break.

On Friday, Crown prosecutor Karuna Ramakrishnan had asked for a further delay, saying the doctor who had completed pre-sentencing and risk assessment of Desjarlais was unavailable to perform the 60-day dangerous offender assessment until March. She told the court there was a desire on the Crown’s part not to have a duplication of effort in assessing Desjarlais.

“This is doctor shopping by the Crown,” said defence lawyer Mitch Stephensen, opposing the delay. He told the court Desjarlais had been co-operative through the process, and that his client felt the application for an assessment shouldn’t be put off any longer.

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The court agreed that no further delay would be allowed and the Crown proceeded to obtain an assessment order for Desjarlais.

The matter returns to court in April.