Kamloops man accused of stabbing neighbour to death found unfit for trial

Photo: RCMP

Jason Michael Holm

A Kamloops man accused of stabbing his neighbour to death during an altercation last year has been found psychiatrically unfit to stand trial.

Jason Michael Holm is facing one count of second-degree murder.

The 38-year-old was arrested on Aug. 2, 2020, after Paul Samuel Whitten, 39, was stabbed on Clarke Street in the West End. Whitten died in hospital a short time later.

Holm, who has a history of mental-health issues, appeared via video Thursday in Kamloops provincial court from Forensic Psychiatric Hospital in Coquitlam.

Court heard a psychiatrist at the facility assessed Holm and determined he is mentally unfit to stand trial — specifically that he has trouble understanding the potential consequences of the proceedings and is unable to effectively communicate with his lawyers.

Kamloops provincial court Judge Marianne Armstrong agreed with the doctor’s assessment and found Holm unfit for trial.

“Essentially, it is hoped that you will become fit and then be brought back into the process,” she said.

Armstrong placed Holm on a 60-day treatment order. If his fitness status improves in the next two months he will be brought back into he court process. If not, his fitness will be reviewed regularly by the B.C. Review Board.

Holm had a two-week preliminary inquiry slated to get underway on Sept. 20. Those dates were cancelled when he was found unfit.