Accused admits to raping N.S. clerk

A woman who was raped, slashed and left for dead on the floor of a Dartmouth, N.S., gas station finally heard her attacker admit what he did.

The trial of Michael Derrick Robicheau, 34, began Friday in Dartmouth provincial court.

In an agreed statement of facts presented in court, Robicheau admits to attacking the woman on Aug. 21, 2007, cutting off her clothes, sexually assaulting her and slashing her throat.

The 47-year-old woman sat quietly, hoping Robicheau would see her.

"AlI I ever wanted was for him to notice me, to see what he's done, to see what he's done to my family," she told reporters outside court.

More than three years after the attack, the woman's voice still wavers with emotion. The scar on her throat is clearly visible. Her identity is protected by a publication ban.

"I'm still under doctors' care. I'm still having [operations] on my neck. I'm still seeing all kinds of professionals," she said.

At least now, with the agreed statement of facts, what happened that terrifying night is no longer in dispute.

"I think she has finally had her day in court," said Crown prosecutor Perry Borden. "There will be another day where she's actually going to have to testify down the road. But in terms of the facts of what transpired that night, that is solidified in this deal."

The woman was working the night shift alone at an Ultramar station in Dartmouth when she was attacked. She called 911, but was unconscious by the time help arrived.

Robicheau was arrested in some bushes nearby.

Mental state of accused at issue

As far as the court is concerned, the only question that remains revolves around his mental state at the time.

The defence plans to call doctors to testify that Robicheau was not criminally responsible. Borden, on the other hand, will counter with doctors of his own.

The trial before Judge Alana Murphy resumes on Oct. 22.

The woman isn't sure when she will be called to testify.

"I'm not going to give up on this. I don't plan to. I'm trying to be brave. I'm trying to be strong. I've got to be strong for my husband right now," she said.

It has been a long, strange case.

Complex court saga

Robicheau pleaded guilty to a number of charges in 2008. But those guilty pleas were withdrawn after the Crown learned that Robicheau was refusing to take his medication for his mental illness, making it impossible for him to understand the court process.

After several psychiatric assessments of Robicheau, Murphy ruled last October that he was fit to stand trial.

In March, Robicheau pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, sexual assault, unlawful confinement, robbery and possession of a weapon.

The woman has a message for him.

"My only words to him would be, and I've always said, that if he has a God, he's got to let him help him because he's never going to be a better man without it. And I'm just being nice," she said.