Halifax murder trial postponed while defence seeks second psychiatric opinion

HALIFAX, N.S. — A first-degree murder trial that was supposed to start in Nova Scotia Supreme Court next month has been postponed for just over a year at the request of the accused.

Cymon Felix Cormier, 26, is charged in the Dec. 30, 2021 fatal stabbing of an optician at a Halifax clinic.

Cormier’s jury trial was to get underway Sept. 5, but defence lawyer Josh Nodelman asked for an adjournment during an appearance in Supreme Court in Halifax on Thursday.

Nodelman said the defence plans to get another psychiatric opinion on whether Cormier was suffering from a mental disorder at the time of the incident that would have rendered him not criminally responsible for his alleged actions.

“Defence has obtained one (psychiatric) assessment,” the lawyer said. “That assessment did not ultimately conclude that an NCR finding would be appropriate but was, I think I would characterize it as close.

“Under the circumstances, the defence has been obviously pursuing a second opinion. The stakes are extremely high here, given the nature of the matter before the court.”

Nodelman said his client was waiving his right to claim unreasonable delay and was seeking alternate trial dates.

“The Crown doesn’t contest the application to adjourn the trial, given the waiver of delay,” prosecutor Alicia Kennedy told the court.

The trial is expected to require up to six weeks of court time. Justice Jamie Campbell rescheduled the hearing to begin Oct. 21, 2024.

Cormier, of no fixed address, is accused of entering Insight Optometry on Brunswick Street with a knife and attacking employee Tony Nader, 55.

A 66-year-old customer who tried to intervene was treated at hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Halifax Regional Police arrested Cormier in the area a short time later. Police have said it was not a random incident.

The young man also faces a charge of aggravated assault.

Cormier remains in custody at the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility in Dartmouth and has been ordered to have no contact with the assault victim. If he wants bail, he must make an application in Supreme Court.

Nader, a talented musician, was survived by his wife and two young daughters.