By Sheldon Spackman

Mental Disorder

Stettler man found not criminally responsible for father’s killing

Feb 22, 2021 | 4:36 PM

A Stettler man deemed not criminally responsible for the death of his father last year is now receiving treatment in a secure psychiatric facility.

That according to Patty MacNaughton, defense lawyer for Nicholas Climb Johnson, 34, who was found not criminally responsible for the death of 67-year-old Barrie Douglas Johnson by way of mental disorder.

The verdict was rendered at the conclusion of Johnson’s week-long trail in Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench on Feb. 12.

MacNaughton says Johnson’s mental health will now be reviewed by the Mental Health Review Board periodically, with no timeline known for how long Johnson will need treatment for.

Johnson was charged with second-degree murder in the death of his father on Jan. 15, 2020.

mayor hopes to meet housing minister this month

Alberta demands Ottawa back off on housing funding stripped from Red Deer

Apr 02, 2026

Last seen Jan. 15

Missing: Courtney Cattleman, 17, of Maskwacis

Apr 02, 2026

eyes up

Air Spray training around Red Deer Regional Airport

Apr 02, 2026

That’s when Stettler RCMP responded to a call of a deceased male at a residence. Mounties say responding members determined the death to be suspicious and took an adult male into custody without issue.

Police say an autopsy determined the cause of death to be multiple blunt and sharp force trauma.