The man who was found not criminally responsible for killing Toronto Police Sgt. Ryan Russell with a snowplow should be held in a psychiatric hospital, the Ontario Review Board was told Friday.
Psychiatrist Dr. Philip Klassen testified that he believes Richard Kachkar has more symptoms of a serious mental disorder than he’s chosen to disclose. He also said that loss and rejection appear to trigger his illness.
Kachkar’s lawyer, Bob Richardson, and the Crown asked that Kachkar be held at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, a medium-security psychiatric hospital located in Whitby, Ont.
They only suggested that Kachkar be allowed escorted passes onto the hospital grounds.
The police officer’s widow, Christine Russell, delivered an emotional victim impact statement at the hearing Friday.
She told the board she wanted Kachkar to know that “the man you killed was an outstanding person.”
“He sacrificed himself trying to protect all of us from Richard Kachkar.”
She described being permitted to see her husband’s body, but it was mostly covered due to the extent of his injuries.
“I was told that Ryan was a crime scene, therefore I couldn’t touch him, couldn’t go near him, couldn’t kiss him goodbye,” she said.
The slain officer’s father, Glenn Russell also delivered a victim impact statement, tearfully telling the board that Kachkar “smashed my family to pieces.”
“You have no idea how much grief and pain he has caused me and my family,” said Russell, a retired police officer.
The board heard hours of medical testimony on Kachkar’s mental state.
Klassen said Kachkar, 46, began to deteriorate in the weeks before he killed Russell in 2011, and those around him could tell something was amiss.
On Jan. 12, 2011, Kachkar stole a snowplow and ran down Russell, who tried to stop him. He was found not criminally responsible last month.
"There was an opportunity for intervention" prior to Kachkar's breakdown, Klassen said.
"If every person in Canada knew how to recognize a mental illness, knew how to get someone help...review boards would be out of business,” he said.
Klassen suggested Kachkar be put on anti-psychotic medication. He also said it did not appear Kachkar would try and escape if confined to a psychiatric hospital.
The provincial body is expected to rule on Kachkar’s case Friday, but the ruling likely won’t be made public until next week.
The ORB reviews the status of those who have been found not criminally responsible or unfit to stand trial for criminal offences on account of a mental disorder.
With a report from CTV’s Natalie Johnson and with files from The Canadian Press
