Assaulted woman: Psychiatrists want another month to diagnose Tanvir Singh

Psychiatrists appointed by the Court to assess his mental condition and his capacity to appear at trial asked the court for an additional 30 days before submitting their report.

Experts must determine whether the defendant’s mental illness has made it difficult for him to understand the consequences of his actions or to tell the difference between right and wrong.

Although the accused was declared eligible to appear at trial in mid-March following a preliminary psychiatric examination, Judge Pierre Labelle ordered Singh to be examined for a month in a psychiatric hospital.

The magistrate explained that even if the accused is eligible to appear at trial, an investigation must take place to determine if he or she had experienced mental health problems at the time of the alleged offense, which could exempt the him to any criminal liability.

Tanvir Singh, 21, faces four counts, including assault, aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

Singh was arrested on March 15 by patrol officers from the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM), shortly after attacking a child returning from school on Tricentenaire Boulevard for no reason.

The girl, along with a friend, was traveling on the sidewalk around 11:30 am when Tanvir Singh rushed in, hitting her several times in the head before dragging her to the ground a few meters. The girl suffered severe head injuries and significant trauma as a result of this vicious attack.

Passersby who witnessed the attack immediately alerted the police that the culprit was arrested shortly after.

Tanvir Singh has been incarcerated at the Philippe-Pinel Institute ever since.

If he is found not criminally liable for a mental disorder, he may remain in a psychiatric hospital for as long as necessary, until he is no longer considered a danger to public safety.

The defendant will return to court on May 25.