Update to this story.
Via CBC:
Former hostage Joshua Boyle, who faces a new set of 19 charges related to alleged incidents after he returned to Canada, will undergo a 60-day psychological assessment in Brockville, Ont., before his next court appearance.
Boyle, 34, appeared in court Friday via a video link from the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre, where he has been held since his arrest in Ottawa on New Year’s Day.
Lawrence Greenspon is representing Boyle along with fellow lawyer Eric Granger. Greenspon told court Friday their client has been seen by a doctor, who found Boyle fit to stand trial but thought he would benefit from a “comprehensive” psychiatric assessment.
The Crown did not object to the request, and the assessment was ordered by the court Friday. The Crown and defence also agreed that the two months set aside for the assessment will not count toward Boyle’s right to a trial in a reasonable timeframe. […]
After his arrest, Boyle faced 15 charges relating to two alleged victims, including eight counts of assault, two counts of sexual assault, two counts of unlawful confinement, uttering a threat to cause death, public mischief, and administering a noxious substance.
Those original 15 charges were withdrawn by the Crown on Friday, and a new set of 19 charges were entered into the record. The practice is not uncommon, and is known as a relay of charges.
The 19 new charges, which relate to one alleged victim instead of two, are:
One count of sexual assault while threatening to use a weapon (ropes).
One count of sexual assault with a weapon (ropes).
One count of uttering a threat to cause death.
Nine counts of assault.
One count of assault with a weapon (a broomstick).
Three counts of unlawful confinement.
One count of administering a noxious substance (the antidepressant Trazodone).
One count of public mischief (misleading a police officer into believing that someone was suicidal and missing, causing the officer to start an investigation, and thereby diverting suspicion away from Boyle).
One count of criminal harassment.Police allege the offences happened in Ottawa between Oct. 14 and Dec. 30. None of the charges has been proven in court.
The identity of the alleged victim is protected by a publication ban.
HT: JettieG