Man who slit gas attendant's throat declared mentally fit
Michael Derrick Robicheau was criminally responsible when he raped a Dartmouth gas station clerk, slit her throat and left her for dead, a judge has ruled.
Provincial court Judge Alanna Murphy found Robicheau guilty of attempted murder Friday.
The Crown is applying to have him declared a dangerous offender, which means he could be locked up indefinitely.
Robicheau has never denied what he did on Aug. 21, 2007. The only question for Murphy was whether he could be held criminally responsible.
Though Robicheau suffers from schizophrenia and has had psychotic episodes in the past, Murphy ruled that he knew what he was doing that night and that it was wrong.
The clerk was working the nightshift alone at an Ultramar station when she was attacked.
The woman, whose identity is protected by court order, attended the hearing, and said she is satisfied with the outcome.
"I'm happy; I got what I wanted. He's been found criminally responsible, and that's all I wanted to hear," she said.
"It's been a long time, it's been a long 3½ years. It's been the most saddest almost four years I've ever had in my life."
The woman called 911, but was unconscious by the time help arrived.
Police found Robicheau a short time later in some nearby bushes.
Robicheau had been released from prison 10 days previously after serving two-thirds of a sentence for numerous convictions. He has a long criminal history, including a conviction for attacking a clerk in a sandwich shop.