Accused claims voices told him to ‘kill somebody’ before Qualicum Beach stabbings
NANAIMO — A dramatic turn of events in Supreme Court in Nanaimo on Wednesday during what was scheduled to be a sentencing hearing for a man charged with stabbing two people at a Qualicum Beach home.
Instead of being sentenced on two counts of aggravated assault, which he previously plead guilty to, defence, Crown Counsel and the judge agreed a trial was more appropriate for Steven Robert Clark.
An hour later the 34-year-old Clark pleaded not guilty on grounds he’s not criminally responsible due to a mental disorder.
Clark told court he doesn’t remember the April 8, 2016 stabbings, but does recall dropping a knife. He testified he had a long history of drug use, including crack cocaine and crystal meth. He stated marijuana had been his drug of choice since moving to his sister’s Qualicum Beach home in 2016.