Koizumi found not criminally responsible for 2016 stabbing death

A Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench Justice has found that a Red Deer man should not be held criminally responsible for the stabbing death of a woman in our city a year and a half ago.

Justice Adam Germain announced his decision Friday morning at the conclusion of the second-degree murder trial for Jordan Koizumi, 27. He described Koizumi as a “troubled and tortured soul,” adding that his decision is not a get out of jail free card.

Tina Pfeiffer, 50, was stabbed 58 times before bleeding to death inside her residence in West Park on Oct. 27, 2016.

“When the hospital phoned and explained that he (Koizumi) complained about being homeless, she graciously agreed to unlock the door,” Germain said. “By doing so, she set the stage for her killer. Ms. Pfeiffer died a cruel and frightening death.”

Acknowledging that Koizumi did kill Pfeiffer, the defence argued he should be found not criminally responsible due to mental health reasons, including a paranoid schizophrenia diagnosis in 2012.

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“Tina suffered a horrific death. Jordan did ultimately make some life choices that resulted in his behaviour — he chose to not take his medication, he chose to consume illegal substances, he had ongoing behavioural issues and Tina took him in and was very kind to him,” said Pfeiffer’s brother in-law, who asked not to share his name. “Ultimately, she paid the ultimate price as a result of her kindness. Her death has impacted her family, her son, other siblings and regardless of this decision today, she’s not coming back.”

He also said the family’s hope is that Koizumi will not have another opportunity to hurt or kill someone, and that he will be held in a secure facility.

Defence Lawyer Patrick Edgerton said Koizumi will now spend his days at either the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatric Centre or Alberta Hospital Edmonton.

“It’s not a finding of guilt, and it’s not a finding of innocence. It’s a third finding that allows the accused to be transferred to a psychiatric facility rather than to a jail,” Edgerton said. “He doesn’t walk away today, and it’s not a win for anyone in this situation.”

Edgerton explained there will be yearly reviews of Koizumi’s mental state, and if he continues to be deemed a risk to the public, he may never be released.

“I would say it was a fair trial,” stated Crown Prosecutor Dominique Mathurin. “When you have NCR hearings, sometimes it’s good to go through the process and get to the result despite the fact there may sometimes be an obvious part about the mental aspect of things. There are three components to it (CCC Sec. 16), and we think the judge did a good job reviewing the decision which is a reflection of what we’ve heard for the last five days.”

Justice Germain also allowed two victim impact statements to be read — one by Tina’s sister and another from her son, who wrote that he was sorry that he could not have been there to defend his mother. Koizumi was hunched over and did not look at either of the people who read the statements.

The victim impact statements were sealed so that the Alberta Review Board may consider them in how they move forward with Jordan Koizumi’s future treatment plan.