Mike on Crime

By Mike McIntyre
Winnipeg Free Press

WINNIPEG — Manitoba’s only secure psychiatric facility wants a mentally ill killer shipped out of the province because they can no longer control his extreme risk to staff, patients and the public.

Joey Wiebe was caught last month hiding a knife, drugs, alcohol and cash in the ceiling tiles of his private room at the Selkirk Mental Health Centre. He also lit his pants on fire in another incident, prompting all doors to the facility to be automatically opened. Wiebe was also caught with a key that allowed him access to several rooms in the building and was believed to be planning a violent escape.

Wiebe, 26, was also involved in a romance with a psychiatric nursing student who was hired earlier this year and quickly assigned to be his lone escort during several off-site day trips in which he obtained the contraband. Love letters from the woman — who has since been fired — were also found in Wiebe’s room.

“Clearly this represents a gross breach of security. This causes us to profoundly reconsider how he’s doing and where he’s at,” Dr. Steven Kraemer, Wiebe’s treating psychiatrist, testified Monday at his annual Criminal Code Review Board hearing.

Kraemer said Selkirk officials consider this incident the final straw.

“He has shown the ability to circumvent our security. We could not manage his return to our facility, even in the high-risk area,” he said.

Kraemer suggested maximum security facilities in Saskatchewan and British Columbia would be better fits. Kraemer said the fact Wiebe struck up a relationship with an employee shows how manipulative he can be, adding there are other staff members who are “enamoured with him.”

Wiebe appeared at Monday’s hearing without a lawyer and was allowed to cross-examine the two witnesses and make his own arguments.

“I don’t fear Selkirk. Selkirk fears me,” Wiebe said bluntly.

Wiebe has caused repeated problems for staff since being found not criminally responsible in 2001 for the murder of his stepmother, Candis Moizer, at their home in Niverville. Her throat was slit and her bedroom set on fire.

Wiebe’s treating psychologist believes Wiebe faked his mental illness and should be in prison.

Crown attorney Corrine Deegan revealed new details Monday and told board members that RCMP have “barely scratched the surface” of their ongoing criminal investigation which includes searching a cellular phone and laptop computer Wiebe had access to. Police are probing whether other staff members and patients may have assisted Wiebe.

The review board is expected to give a decision later this week about Wiebe’s future. Any move out of province would likely wait until his new criminal charges are disposed of. Until then, he is expected to remain at the Remand Centre.