Accused in RCMP officer’s 2022 killing faces mental health evaluation before trial
A British Columbia man accused of killing an RCMP officer in 2022 will undergo a mental health evaluation before his trial proceeds. Jongwon Ham faces a first-degree murder charge in the death of Const. Shaelyn Yang, who was fatally stabbed in Burnaby in October 2022.
The trial for Jongwon Ham has been adjourned while the court awaits the results of his mental health assessment. A judge ordered the evaluation to determine whether Ham is mentally capable of standing trial.
No details have been released about the psychiatrist or psychiatrists responsible for the evaluation. The process will assess Ham’s ability to understand the charges against him and participate in his own defence. Const. Shaelyn Yang, 31, died after responding to a call at a Burnaby apartment building on 18 October 2022. Ham was arrested shortly after the incident and has remained in custody since.
The trial will remain on hold until the mental health assessment is complete. Once finished, the findings will determine whether Ham’s case moves forward in court. The outcome will also decide if he can legally stand trial for the murder charge.
