MOOSJAWTODAY.COM — A provincial court judge has ordered a psychiatric evaluation for Steven Dale Champion, who appeared twice recently — high on drugs both times — and was uncooperative, angry and vulgar.
Champion’s first appearance in Moose Jaw Provincial Court was on Oct. 5 in person, where he sat in the prisoners’ box as Judge Brian Hendrickson read out his 22 alleged offences, which allegedly occurred mostly in Moose Jaw — three happened in Regina — between Feb. 11 and Oct. 4.
The offences include breaching probation (five), possessing break-and-enter tools (two), possession of stolen items under $5,000 (two), failing to comply with an undertaking (five), failing to attend court (one), assault with a weapon (one), theft under $5,000 (two), assaults (three) and assaulting a peace officer (one).
When asked if he understood the charges, the man said he did and wanted to plead guilty immediately so he could leave.
Hendrickson asked Champion several times whether he wanted the assistance of Legal Aid. Each time, the man — agitated, irritable and visibly intoxicated — said he didn’t want that assistance.
At one point, Champion, 44, angrily stomped out of the prisoners’ box and back into the cells before a court sheriff returned him to the box. When the judge suggested that he was high on drugs, the man replied, “You’re on the drugs, sir, you’re on the drugs.”
The Crown prosecutor informed the judge that she was opposed to Champion’s release, prompting the prisoner to swear at her. Hearing enough of this — and unwilling to accept the man’s guilty pleas — the judge adjourned the matter to the next day.
Appearing by phone from police cells on Oct. 6, Champion reiterated to Judge David Chow that he didn’t want Legal Aid’s help or a bail hearing and wanted to plead guilty.
“Mr. Champion, I understand there was some friction yesterday that precluded you from having a discussion with pretty much anyone,” Judge Chow said.
“I didn’t have any friction yesterday,” the man interrupted, noting he didn’t want to speak with the Crown either. “I did the drugs, I did the crimes, I’ll do the time.”
The judge informed Champion that his guilty pleas needed to be voluntary and informed, to which the man replied that he didn’t care how much jail time he received since he was allegedly homeless.
When Judge Chow attempted to read a new charge to Champion, the latter angrily — and vulgarly — interrupted and said he didn’t care and just wanted to serve his time. The judge chastised him and told him to treat the court with respect since it was doing the same to him.
Champion then hung up the phone — something he would do three more times during his matters. While he sounded lucid during the first call, he sounded spaced out the other times. He also referred to himself as “Master Champion” and thought the judge was his brother, Kerry Chow, a lawyer.
Judge Chow expressed concern about Champion’s mental fitness and even pointed out how “out of it” the man sounded. Based on the interactions, he believed the man had a mental illness.
The judge then ordered Champion to undergo a psychiatric assessment at Saskatchewan Hospital in North Battleford, where health professionals will generate a report to determine his mental stability.
Judge Chow adjourned the matter to Friday, Nov. 3.
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