EDMONTON – The woman who was charged with aiding in a suicide after an elderly woman was found dead in a vehicle outside the Hinton Healthcare Centre appeared in court via CCTV Wednesday.
The charge was laid against 53-year-old Linda Jean McNally May 14 following an investigation by Hinton RCMP and Edmonton RCMP Major Crimes Unit.
RCMP were called to the healthcare centre early in the morning on May 10 when they discovered the body of Shirley Vann inside a vehicle.
“I can say there is an indication of partly carbon monoxide,” said Crown Bob Marr, “but we are waiting for an autopsy result on the deceased person so we really don’t know yet.”
Wednesday, Marr revealed the accused and the victim are related. McNally is the daughter of Vann, who Marr believes was in her 70s.
Deliberations Wednesday lasted about five minutes.
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McNally is currently being held at the Edmonton Remand Centre, and made her court appearance by Closed Circuit TV (CCTV).
The accused kept her head low, and could be seen crying at times.
The Defence asked for an assessment of the accused to take place at Alberta Hospital, which will occur within 30 days.
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“Her counsel felt after speaking to her – and not to put words in Laura Stevens mouth – but there was potential at least for a Section 16 concern – that is not criminally responsible. So we agreed that that assessment ought to be done, and that’s why it’s been put over for 30 days,” explained Marr.
Both the accused and the victim are not from the province of Alberta. According to the Crown, the pair is from either Arizona or Idaho.
The investigation continues, but it’s believed they were in the province visiting.
The aiding in suicide charge is not a common one. Marr indicates in his 35 years practicing, this is the first time he has dealt with such a charge.
He admits the case presents unique challenges for all those involved.
“I know the police were very, very concerned, initially, about the well-being of the person that’s accused, and they basically took all the steps they could to try and protect her until this thing got rolling.”
“It’s tragic is what it is.”
The accused will remain in custody.
Bail will be addressed during the next court appearance on July 3 in Hinton.
The maximum sentence for the aiding a suicide charge is 14 years in prison. There is no minimum sentence.
With files from Vinesh Pratap
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