Bus killer Vince Li poses ‘significant risk’ to public: board

A man who stabbed and decapitated another man in front of horrified bus passengers last summer still posed a "a significant risk to the safety of the public" back in June, according to the sentence review board that voted to keep Vince Li locked up.

This week, the Manitoba Criminal Review Board has released the reasons why it ruled Li should remain inside a mental health facility – under strict conditions.

Li was found not criminally responsible for killing 22-year-old Tim McLean.

The board cited a medical expert who testified during Li’s trial as to the threat he’d pose to the public if released.

The board ruled, based on a June 1 sentence hearing, that if "violence has been an aspect of psychotic behaviour in the past, it is a factor to be taken seriously with regard to future actions" by someone with a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

The board also cited Li’s "lack of insight into his illness and the need for treatment," his history of not taking prescribed medications, "his unpredictable, threatening, impulsive and anti-social behaviour and his history of having exhibited dangerous behaviour when he has become psychotic" as reasons for detaining him indefinitely.

"We are of the opinion that without the continued, close supervision provided by detention in hospital, Mr. Li would be a significant risk to the safety of the public," read the decision from John Stefaniuk, the board’s chairman. "Neither an absolute discharge nor a discharge upon conditions would be appropriate."

McLean, a carnival worker from Winnipeg, was repeatedly stabbed, beheaded and dismembered in front of nearly three dozen witnesses on a Greyhound bus outside Portage la Prairie, Man., in July 2008.

Li was suffering from untreated schizophrenia and psychotic delusions at the time.

Li said he heard commands from God, ordering him to kill McLean, who Li apparently believed was a demon. Li was found not criminally responsible of murder during his trial in March.

The board also listed a number of restrictions placed on Li while he remains inside one of two mental health facilities, located in either Winnipeg or Selkirk, Man.

If, for any reason, Li leaves his locked hospital ward, he must be supervised by two staff members. If he leaves the hospital, he must be accompanied by two peace officers.