Simon Baker brutally stabbed a Victoria woman to death outside his grandparent's home in June, 2022. He will now spend an indefinite amount of time in a psychiatric hospital after being found not criminally responsible on Jan 10, 2024. (Nanaimo RCMP)

By Ian Holmes

gruesome crime

Nanaimo murderer found not criminally responsible for brutal knife attack

Jan 10, 2024 | 10:59 AM

NANAIMO — A BC Supreme Court justice determined a man’s delusions directly played a role in a shocking south Nanaimo stabbing and has been deemed not criminally responsible for his actions.

Simon James Baker, 23, will spend an indefinite term in a psychiatric hospital setting in Coquitlam with his case being reviewed annually following a decision made by Justice Douglas Thompson on Wednesday, Jan 10. in BC Supreme Court in Nanaimo.

Last month Baker pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for attacking 41-year-old Denise Allick of Victoria with a knife outside Baker’s grandparents’ home on Eighth St.

Facts read out in court stated on the evening of June 30, 2022, Baker stabbed Allick six times, including four times in the face, after Baker went outside for a cigarette just after 10 p.m.

There was no known prior connection between the two people. It’s unclear why Allick encountered Baker after she parted ways with a friend a couple blocks away minutes prior.

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Allick’s vehicle was parked near the murder scene.

In outlining his decision following arguments last month in BC Supreme Court regarding Baker’s mental state, justice Douglas Thompson sided with the position of the defence which called for Baker to be found not criminally responsible due to a mental disorder.

The judge said evidence showed Baker had a history of mental health and substance abuse issues, including a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

For several years, justice Thompson noted Baker held beliefs he would be attacked in his home.

Baker was under the watch of a psychiatrist and mental health case worker at the time of the fatal stabbing, and was nearly due for his monthly injection of anti-psychotic medication when the stabbing occurred.

Baker self reported that he took “a point” of drugs the night of the stabbing.

“I find that it was likely that this terrible event unfolded within seconds. I find that Mr. Baker reacted on impulse rooted in paranoia when he stabbed Ms. Allick with little or no opportunity for rational consideration,” justice Thompson stated as he concluded his half-hour oral ruling.

Crown and defence psychiatric experts both agreed that the stabbing was related to Baker’s mental disorder, however what was disputed was whether Baker was capable of realizing his actions were wrong.

While Justice Thompson said it was a difficult judgment to render, he pointed to Baker’s distorted paranoia as to why he reacted to Allick’s presence the way he did.

“I am satisfied that Mr. Baker’s mental state was sufficiently disordered that he was unable to apply his capacity to know right from wrong to the situation at hand.”

Last month the Crown’s Nick Barber detailed how during the night in question a laceration inflicted by Baker to Allick’s neck was the strike that ultimately killed her.

Baker then went inside the home to tell his grandparents that there was a woman outside covered in blood.

The offender then left the property and called for a taxi to take him from the scene.

Nanaimo RCMP and Baker’s grandfather then successfully pleaded for Barker to return to the home about ten minutes later.

Allick was declared dead on scene by paramedics.

Baker’s history of mental health and addiction issues were outlined last month, which included several incidents of erratic and high-risk behaviour.

The offender’s mother reported he suffered from schizophrenia and that for several months prior to the stabbing Baker had become paranoid, delusional, and was concerned about trespassers.

“He was telling us about how he had been possessed by the demon at my parents’ house and that’s why he was having such a hard time sleeping there…I’ve known for months that he’s definitely delusional and paranoid at this time,” Baker’s mother reported.

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ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes