Face of Nation : In the days leading to March 22, 2019, Vlad Cristian Eremia was hearing voices in his head that encouraged him to kill or protect himself. As a result, he started carrying around a foot-long knife.
That morning, he made his way to St. Joseph’s Oratory and, in the middle of mass, rushed the altar toward Rev. Claude Grou . He managed to stab the priest twice before breaking the knife. Parishioners separated the two and Eremia was later charged with attempted murder.
At the Montreal courthouse Wednesday, Eremia, 27, was found not criminally responsible for his actions due to a mental disorder. He will remain at Montreal’s Philippe-Pinel Institute, where he will be followed for his mental health .
He has also been barred from attempting to communicate with Grou and from returning to the Oratory if ever released.
According to evidence presented Wednesday, Eremia made several “delirious” statements in the moments following the attack.
While being interrogated by police later, he seemed to be aware of what had happened but told investigators about the voices he heard. He was also seen speaking to himself when left alone in the room. The Crown had ordered he undergo a psychiatric evaluation.
Grou was left with minor injuries from the attack — two superficial stab wounds — and resumed saying mass at the Oratory a week later.
In a brief statement prepared for the court, Grou said the attack has not had any important repercussions on him emotionally or physically and he does not fear for his safety in the future. The attack did, however, create a “certain concern” among staff at the Oratory, he wrote.
Crown prosecutor Stécie Jérôme said Grou has also made attempts to reach Eremia to forgive him for his actions.
Eremia appeared in court via video-link up from Pinel on Wednesday. He appeared to understand the proceedings. He will remain detained there to receive treatment and will eventually be evaluated by an administrative tribunal.
