Believed to have long-standing severe mental problems, a Penticton man was found to be not criminally responsible for fatally stabbing another man.
Brian Csati, who was 19 at the time of the killing, stabbed Karl Alkier twice in the chest and once in the abdomen with a bread knife on Dec. 19, 2009 at a residence on Hatfield Avenue.
Justice Glen Parrett said in Penticton Supreme Court on Wednesday that Csati’s brother was downstairs arguing on the phone with their father and threw the telephone. His mother, Linda Csati, came downstairs and the argument carried over between them.
Alkier, whose family said he was an ex-boyfriend of Linda’s while she suggests he was a common-law partner, came downstairs and the argument escalated further until the son left the house through a basement window. Justice Parrett said Brian was not involved in the argument involving his brother in any way but was present.
“Karl went up to the kitchen and the accused followed him, got out a bread knife from the drawer of the kitchen and stabbed Karl Alkier three times,” said Parrett. “The accused was quite calm and reserved. He said nothing before, during or after he stabbed Karl Alkier.”
Brian then left the residence and returned shortly later, handing himself over to RCMP that were on the scene.
“I apologize to the family on Brian’s behalf and I am sad for my immediate family that they had to be there to see this terrible tragedy,” said Linda. “The sad part is this is a tragedy for both families. I can’t tell you enough the grief that was caused.”
Brian was ordered to remain at a psychiatric treatment facility until a review board looks over medical information and testimony given in court along with the victim impact statements to decide on the disposition.
The court heard medical reports date back to at least 2007 on Brian, with psychosis raised at varying points when he was hospitalized. Brian was voluntary admitted to the hospital three times in 2008 and three times in 2009, including three weeks before the fatal stabbing. Doctors suggested the tragic death of Brian’s sister in a fire in 2004 possibly triggered his psychosis.
Doctor Shabrehram Lohrasbe said in court on Tuesday that Csati had all three forms of psychosis and suffered from auditory hallucinations, paranoia, social isolation, angry outbursts, suicidal and homicidal thoughts. Doctors said Brian had delusions he was Satan or the Antichrist. Wearing orange prison garb, the now 20-year-old was stoic during the two-day court proceedings.
Alkier’s daughter, Diane Alkier, told the Penticton Western News her two sisters, Karl’s mother and brother have received great support from family and friends in Thunder Bay and Manitoba where they are from.
“We are suffering, but we are going to get through it because that is how we were raised by our father. It’s been a hard road, but we are glad there is some closure to this,” said Diane.
She said it was obvious that Brian would not be held criminally responsible, but someone should be liable.
“It’s unfortunate that this young man is in the situation that he is in and we really hope that he gets the help that he needs. He should have got this help years ago when he was seeking medical attention,” said Diane.