By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Accused murderer was psychotic: Psychiatrist

Jun 14, 2018 | 9:15 AM

The psychiatrist who performed a psychiatric assessment on a Red Deer man charged in the stabbing death of a local woman says he should not be held criminally responsible.

Dr. Yuri Metelitsa testified Wednesday at the trial for 27-year-old Jordan Koizumi.

Koizumi has pleaded not guilty to second degree murder in relation to the death of 50-year-old Tina Pfeiffer on Oct. 27, 2016. The defence says he should not be held criminally responsible due to mental health reasons, including a paranoid schizophrenia diagnosis in 2012.

Metelitsa was asked by both the Crown and defence about statements Koizumi made during his arrest, audio from which was heard earlier in the trial, where he admitted that he “killed” and “murdered” Pfeiffer. That prompted suggestions he could have been more aware of what he was doing compared to what being in a state of psychosis might suggest.

The doctor stated that while Koizumi may have known what he’d done, that is not the same as being capable of appreciating what the ramifications might be.

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When Metelitsa met Koizumi for the first time, his first impression was a “striking” one, he noted, adding there was “complete disengagement” and a “lack of emotional response” towards what he’d allegedly done.

Metelitsa testified that since then, Koizumi has responded well to anti-psychotic medication, but still hasn’t shown anything he would call remorse.

The Crown’s questioning also focused in on Koizumi’s very first psychotic episode in March 2009. Evidence shows Koizumi attended Red Deer Regional Hospital feeling agitated and anxious, as well as experiencing déjà vu for the first time. Court heard this was also the first time Koizumi had taken sleeping pills with the addition of marijuana – the Crown asked if it was possible this could have caused a drug-induced psychosis.

Metelitsa said based on what is known about Koizumi’s post-2009 medical history, it’s more likely that was the beginning of a broader downward spiral, and that the marijuana could have sped that up.

“Given the context, I would say no,” he stated, noting that as Koizumi’s cannabis use ramped up over the years, so did his pyschosis-related symptoms.

The Crown pointed to other signs that Koizumi may have been aware of what he was doing by singling out another comment from his arrest where he said he wouldn’t do anything like this again, as well as evidence which suggested he and Pfeiffer weren’t on the best of terms. The agreed statement of facts show Pfeiffer had asked Koizumi to move out of their shared residence just days prior to her death.

Metelitsa reiterated that Koizumi suffered from psychosis and delusions over a long period of time, concluding his opinion that he should not be held criminally responsible.

Metelitsa added that Koizumi could be dangerous again if left untreated.

On Tuesday, Justice Adam Germain directly addressed comments made by Koizumi during his arrest about his belief that Pfeiffer was pregnant with his baby. Germain said there is no physical evidence to support those comments.

The Crown and defence will offer up their final arguments Thursday afternoon. A verdict is expected on Friday.