The case, regarding Vince Li, forever fundamentally changed mental health discussions in Canada. Vince Li, a mentally ill person experienced a psychotic episode. Li brutally murdered an innocent man and was deemed NCR. Recently, Li has been placed under consideration for more freedoms. This paper will discuss how the media responded, if Li should be released, and why Li differs from a normal criminal. Vince Li experienced an uncontrolled psychotic episode, and should not be held accountable to the same standard as a sane criminal. Overview Vince Li was born in China in 1968. Li studied computer sciences at a Chinese University, and was an educated individual. Li eventually immigrated to Canada and became a Canadian citizen in 2006. Being …show more content…
Based on recommendations from staff and Doctors, the board has decided Li should receive more freedoms. May 30th Li’s Doctor recommended that he is given more privileges. May 17th 2012, the board approved for Li to be able to have temporary passes out of Selkirk Mental Health Centre. Li could now visit the near-by towns only if supervised by a nurse or peace officer. The Provincial Criminal Code Review Board ruled that Li will be allowed to go out in public by himself, for the first time since he stabbed McLean in July 2008. The unsupervised trips would start with 30-minute outings and increase to full days. Li will also have less supervision when visiting other cities, including Winnipeg and will move from a locked ward to an unlocked ward of the hospital. Many people have become outraged of the board’s decision. The federal government called the provincial governments decision “an insult to Tim …show more content…
Li was ruled to be not criminally responsible. Meaning Li committed an act while suffering from a mental health disorder. Li’s mental health problem rendered him incapable of appreciating the nature and quality of the act. Li at the time did not know what he was doing was wrong. Li was having an uncontrolled psychotic episode. Unlike the public and media, the board realizes that Li is a patient at a hospital and not a prisoner. Li has not been sentenced to experience a severe punishment or gain vengeance for the victims. Li is being treated as a patient of schizophrenia in a hospital. As such, Li needs to be given the care that is required to help improve his mental condition. Li’s Doctors have explained that he responds well to treatments and is a very low risk offender. Li should be given privileges. Li is not a murder or serial killer. Li is a mental health patient that requires