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“Letting him go puts the rest of the public at risk,” she said. De Delley has long been advocating for mentally ill killers such as Li to be held indefinitely in a hospital, regardless of any progress they may show.

Li’s treating psychiatrist, Dr. Steven Kremer, told the review board Li is on medication and experiencing no symptoms or hallucinations. He has been diagnosed as having a 0.8 per cent chance of violently reoffending in the next seven years, according to risk assessments done on him.

“The privileges being asked for . . . would not place the public at high risk,” Kremer told the board. “He has done very well. He has been a robust responder. He understands if he were not to take his medication, he would experience a deterioration.”

Kremer and another psychiatrist described Li as a model patient who has had no incidents with staff or other patients and has shown great insight into what he’s done. Li has improved his English and taken several occupational therapy programs, including job training and meal preparation.

Crown attorney Susan Helenchilde said she had no grounds to oppose the recommendations.

“The Crown may not be opposed, but I certainly am,” de Delley said.

Chris Summerville, chief executive officer of the Schizophrenia Society of Canada, also attended Monday’s hearing and has met with Li several times in the hospital. He spoke outside court and said he understands the public’s concerns but doesn’t believe they are at risk.

“His risk of reoffending is very low. Vince is not a criminal, he’s a patient. Patients get better, and Vince has been an ideal patient,” he said.

Winnipeg Free Press