Court Reviews High-Risk Status of Trevor Farley in Winnipeg

A court in Winnipeg is currently assessing the high-risk designation of Trevor Farley, who has been labeled a high-risk accused following a violent incident in October 2021. Farley, aged 39, was found not criminally responsible for the deaths of his parents and the stabbing of his former supervisor during a psychotic episode. This designation, which is rare, means his potential release is contingent on approval from a superior court judge.

The case has returned to Justice Ken Champagne at the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench, where arguments are being presented regarding whether the high-risk status should be lifted. During a hearing on Tuesday, James Wasio, forensic director at the Selkirk Mental Health Centre, expressed that a conservative approach is being taken with Farley due to his designation. This approach has restricted Farley from accessing community programs and visiting with family outside the hospital.

Since December 2023, Farley has been held in the facility’s highest-security area. While he is occasionally allowed to use the gym under supervision, Wasio explained that Farley cannot transition to less-secured areas until he receives an unsupervised pass. Despite the high-risk label, Wasio indicated that it would not necessarily prevent Farley from gaining privileges at the facility in the future.

Concerns about Farley’s behavior have been raised by staff, with reports suggesting he has encouraged other patients to avoid medication and has made statements about his own mental state. During cross-examination, Carley Mahoney, Farley’s attorney, challenged the lack of formal documentation regarding these incidents, highlighting a previous occurrence where Farley attacked a nurse.

In further testimony, Erin Brown, a community forensic mental health specialist, assessed Farley and noted he presented himself as calm and respectful. However, the prosecutor, Rustyn Ullrich, questioned whether Farley’s portrayal of his potential for reconciliation with his wife and return to nursing was overly optimistic. Brown acknowledged the importance of having a realistic perspective for any future discharge discussions.

As the hearing progresses, questions remain about the implications of changing Farley’s high-risk designation on his treatment and rehabilitation. The proceedings are set to continue until the end of the week, with the court weighing the potential for changes to Farley’s status and the associated risks.