Guilty verdict in fatal 2021 stabbing in Ottawa's Chinatown

The man charged in two stabbings in Ottawa's Chinatown neighbourhood has been found guilty of second-degree murder, but not criminally responsible for an attack on a second man. 

Honor Charley, 20 at the time of the attacks in April 2021, fatally stabbed Carl Reinboth, 64. and attacked 84-year-old Guocai Sun.

On Thursday, a jury found him not criminally responsible for attempted murder and aggravated assault in the attack Sun.

Judge Robert Pelletier told the court Thursday this was a terrible crime that led to a very disturbing death.

Reinboth, an outreach worker from the Somerset West Community Health Centre, was stabbed in the back and died in hospital. Sun was stabbed in the neck about two hours later and survived.

At issue in the trial was whether Charley was criminally responsible for his actions.

Surveillance footage from a Petro-Canada gas station at Bronson Avenue and Somerset Street W. captured Charley in the moments leading up to and during the attacks.

The defence argued the attacks were unprovoked and occurred during a period of mental decline. Court heard that in the days leading up to the stabbings, Charley searched online for "grandiose thinking" and told friends celebrities Kim Kardashian and Kevin Hart were conspiring against him online.

Defence lawyer Michael Smith argued Charley lacked the intent to kill and was unable to assess his actions at the time.

The Crown argued Charley knew what he was doing before, during and after the stabbings, and understood the consequences of his actions. Prosecutors pointed to police interviews and mental health reports as evidence that he intended to kill both men.

They said Charley's actions, including his attempts to flee the scene and online searches showing his interest in the legal consequences of stabbing someone, indicate awareness suggesting he was not in a state of psychosis.

The prosecution argued Charley understood his actions were legally and morally wrong and should be held criminally responsible.

Sentencing submissions in March

The jury began deliberating Tuesday afternoon.

A conviction of second-degree murder comes with life imprisonment with no chance of parole for 10 to 25 years. The jury recommended parole eligibility after 10 to 20 years.

Pelletier said the accused had a "bright future" that was interrupted by a mental condition, and said that should be taken into account when deciding parole eligibility.

The judge said sentencing submissions, victim impact statements and possibly the sentence itself will come March 19.