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BMHC said ill-equipped for forensicsby GORDON KENT Sun StaffThe Brandon Mental Health Centre is not set up to hold the criminally insane, director Garry Mattin said Wednesday.He was testifying at an inquest into the July. 1984. death of Keith Flannery, a patient committed to the institution in 198.1 w hen he was found not guilty by reason of in sanity on two murder charges.Mr. Flannery. 37. was found dead in the Assiniboine River July 15. 11 days after he escaped from the BMHC infirmiry.But Mr. Mattin said the hospital doesn't have the heavy security and special wards necessary for such people.“I don’t believe we are equipped to handle forensic cases, such as Selkirk (Mental Health Centre is), he said.I think (these) cases should he very seriously reviewed before anyone is admitted (here).Psychiatrist Wilson Conco, who worked at BMHC until last year, said he didn’t feel qualified to treat criminal cases.He can be tricked into giving more privileges than he should, said I)r Conco.At the same time, the criminal cases take up time he could be devoting to other patients, he said.The persons who are criminals can easily bluff me. he said “Where should we put the emphasis, on those who break the law or on those who are sick?BMHC clinical director Doreen Moggey said special facilities aren't necessary for people found not guilty by reason of insanity for non-violent crimes, or whose mental problems can be treated.Mr. Flannery, a paranoid schizophrenic who burned down the family home near Pipestone, killing his father and a cousin, w as no danger while on medication, she saidHe was one of two or three criminally-insane patients among the 470 patients at BMHC. she said.Dr. Kenneth Mears, who treated Mr Flannery since he was first admitted to the institution 15 years ago. described him as a friendly man who didn’t need tighter security.As long as he was on medication he was a charming fellow. he testifiedA spokesman for Health Minister Larry Desjardins said this morning he could not comment on the issue.The inquest started for one day Feb. 20. It is expected to end today, when the last of 43 witnesses will testify.
Newspaper Details
Brandon Sun
Brandon, Manitoba, CA
Thu, Apr 25, 1985
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Tyler M.
NA, NA 19 Feb 2025
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