The legal case against a Nova Scotia woman accused of striking a staff member at her group home may not proceed after all.
Amanda Murphy is facing two counts of assault and a breach in relation to two separate incidents. She pleaded not guilty to the charges in February.
The 34-year-old Antigonish woman has an intellectual disability, epilepsy, ADHD and is bipolar.
During an interview in February, Iris Murphy told CTV Atlantic that her daughter is between five and eight years old developmentally, and was deemed incompetent in 2001.
The case has raised concerns about criminal charges being laid against someone with special needs and Iris Murphy is calling for change in the way her daughter and others with special needs are dealt with in the justice system.
During a court appearance Wednesday, Amanda Murphy’s lawyer said a psychiatric assessment has found she isn’t fit to stand trial because of her intellectual disabilities.
“Every time these things come up it’s a source of great anxiety to Amanda,” said defence lawyer Gerald MacDonald. “She’s really unable to understand what’s going on.”
MacDonald said the case will return to court on Oct. 22. It isn’t known whether Murphy will be required to attend.
