By Patrick Burles - @PatrickBurles on Twitter

Accused in police standoff opposed to psychiatric remand

Jun 1, 2017 | 2:54 PM

LETHBRIDGE – The 42-year old man who was arrested after a nearly six-hour standoff with Lethbridge Police last week, has stated his opposition to remaining in custody so a psychiatric assessment can be conducted.

Daniel Desmond Crowder appeared in Lethbridge Provincial Court via CCTV Thursday morning (June 1), saying he would not consent to the assessment, and that he needed more time to retain a lawyer, after being denied coverage by Legal Aid.

The Crown noted that the purpose of the assessment would be to determine Crowder’s criminal responsibility, based on his mental health at the time of the alleged incident.

Crowder was arrested on May 24, after police responded to an apartment complex in the 2500 block of Walsh Drive West around 9:30 a.m., to check on the well-being of an individual regarding comments made on social media.

The man refused to speak with officers, and as a precaution, part of the apartment complex was evacuated and the roads were barricaded.

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Police noted that additional “concerning comments online” prompted them to bring in the Critical Incident Response Team – including the Tactical Team, Explosive Disposal Unit and Crisis Negotiator.

Then, just after 4 p.m., officers could be seen escorting an individual from the apartment building and taking him into custody.

Crowder was later charged with breaching probation, failing to comply with a probation order, threats causing death or bodily harm and possession of body armour without a valid permit.

After acknowledging that Crowder should have a lawyer to conduct a bail hearing and handle a Crown application for a psychiatric assessment, the Crown agreed to an adjournment to June 15.

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