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Man charged in Nanaimo mall crash-up fit for trial, says lawyer

Defence counsel for Joshua Tyler Schaeffer anticipates bail hearing Jan. 28
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Joshua Tyler Schaeffer, 38, arrested after a Jan. 6 incident that saw a truck driven into a number of buildings at Country Club Centre in Nanaimo, has been deemed fit for trial, says Bert King, his lawyer. (News Bulletin file)

A man who crashed his pickup into mall buildings and cars is fit to stand trial, says his lawyer.

Joshua Tyler Schaeffer, 38, was charged with dangerous driving and mischief endangering life and is alleged to have crashed a pickup truck into a number of buildings at the Country Club Centre site and damaged a pair of vehicles on Jan. 6. Bert King, Schaeffer’s legal representation, previously asked for an assessment for his client, which took place a week ago.

“He’s been found fit to stand trial, which means he understands the proceedings, he understands the nature of the charges, he understands his position, he understands my position,” said King following a court appearance Wednesday. “Some people are so mentally ill they don’t understand what planet they’re on … he’s, from the court’s proceeding at least, ready to go.”

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Schaeffer is expected to appear in person in provincial court in Nanaimo on Tuesday, Jan. 28, when King anticipates a bail hearing will take place contingent on if an appropriate plan is in place.

“For Mr. Schaeffer to be released, I would expect that he’ll have to have someone who supervises him while on bail and pledges to watch him carefully and if he breaches his bail and the surety is negligent, [they] can be asked to pay the amount of bail,” said King.

Schaeffer appeared via video at Wednesday’s court appearance.



reporter@nanaimobulletin.com

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Karl Yu

About the Author: Karl Yu

After interning at Vancouver Metro free daily newspaper, I joined Black Press in 2010.
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