The Carving Knife

A constable attended alone at a supportive housing facility to deal with a tent-like structure in the parking lot. He knew he would be dealing with the Accused, a resident, and knew he was a large man. After a short and cordial exchange in which the Accused said the tent was empty, the officer took a few steps toward it. The Accused kicked him in the stomach and stabbed him in the eye with a carving knife. A struggle followed in which the Accused tried to take the officer's service firearm. He was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, attempting to disarm a peace officer, obstruction, and possession of a weapon for a purpose dangerous to the public peace. He advanced a defence that he was not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder. The weapons count raised its own question: he had the carving knife on him before the officer ever arrived, and the Crown had to show what he possessed it for.