A British Columbia provincial court judge has determined that a woman facing charges for recklessly discharging a firearm, and who claims Jesus Christ will act as her defence lawyer, is mentally competent to stand trial.
The Crown's Argument for Unfitness
In a decision published in January 2024, Judge Kristen Mundstock detailed the Crown's application to have Denise Angela Norris declared unfit for trial. The application was based on a psychiatric assessment by forensic psychiatrist Dr. Garen Gharakhanian, who diagnosed Norris with unspecified psychosis with religious delusions. Norris's own court-appointed lawyer did not contest this diagnosis.
The prosecution argued that because Norris does not recognize the court's authority, believing instead in God's ultimate jurisdiction, she will not actively engage in the court process. Crown counsel stated there was no point in prosecuting her as she would not participate in her own defence.
Norris's Unwavering Spiritual Beliefs
In opposing the application, the defence maintained that Norris was aware of the legal proceedings against her but ultimately believed her spiritual fate would be decided by God. Judge Mundstock's ruling included excerpts from five meetings between Dr. Gharakhanian and Norris, who was described as deeply religious or spiritual.
During these sessions, Norris acknowledged the existence of courts, judges, and prosecutors but dismissed the charges against her as man-made. She stated unequivocally that Jesus was her defence lawyer, that he would be present at her hearing, and that she would take instructions from him.
She said she could hear Jesus with her ears and has had visions of him, Dr. Gharakhanian reported. Norris claimed she communicates with Jesus mentally and through prayer, and that he speaks to her two or three times daily. She also stated she was married to God and had seen both Jesus Christ and the devil.
Judge's Ruling on Fitness
Despite these fixed beliefs, Judge Mundstock ruled that Norris met the legal test for fitness to stand trial. The test focuses on whether an accused person can understand the nature and object of the proceedings, comprehend the potential consequences, and communicate with their counsel.
The judge noted that Norris's beliefs, while unusual and fixed, did not necessarily prevent her from understanding the court process on a rational level. Her plan to represent herself with Jesus speaking through her was considered in the context of her right to self-representation, however unorthodox her rationale.
Additional details from the reports revealed Norris's rejection of the court's authority in other ways. She refused to attend court by video, likening it to playing video games with her life. She repeatedly stated that provincial law did not apply to her and that the RCMP lacked authority to enter her residence.
Regarding the allegations, Norris maintained her innocence. She said she did not shoot at police and if she were to shoot at them she would have hit them, Judge Mundstock wrote, summarizing the psychiatric report. Norris also claimed police shot at her and that she was shot in the chest in an attempt to kill her.
The ruling means the criminal case against Denise Angela Norris for reckless firearm discharge will proceed through the British Columbia justice system, setting the stage for a highly unusual trial where the defendant's stated legal counsel is a divine figure.
