Accused in TTC streetcar stabbing found not criminally responsible

A 45-year-old woman accused of stabbing a woman on a TTC streetcar in January 2023 has been found not criminally responsible, according to court documents and her lawyer. 

Leah Valdez was found not criminally responsible of aggravated assault on Aug. 15, court documents show. She had pleaded not guilty to the charge. 

Valdez was initially charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and three more weapons charges. The Crown withdrew charges of attempted murder and weapons charges, her lawyer, Amanda Ross, said in an email Friday.  

In a news release in January 2023, police said the stabbing happened on a streetcar on Spadina Avenue, near the University of Toronto St. George campus. 

Police received reports that a 23-year-old woman had been stabbed in the face and head. She sustained life-altering injuries, Ross said. 

Valdez was arrested a day later. The two women did not know each other, police said. 

Ross said the court decision is an example of the justice system "working as it should." 

At the time of the stabbing, Ross said her client lacked the capacity to understand the "wrongfulness" of her actions as she was "in a state of profound and terrifying mental health crisis." 

"Ms. Valdez deeply regrets the harm she caused and is committed to getting the treatment she needs moving forward," Ross said. 

Valdez is now under the jurisdiction of the Ontario Review Board, she said.