From the Courts: Not Guilty Plea from Robicheau in Gas Station Attack

Excerpts of report by the Herald's Steve Bruce:

Michael Derrick Robicheau has pleaded not guilty to raping and trying to kill a Dartmouth gas station clerk in August 2007.

The 34-year-old man entered his pleas Monday, when he appeared in Dartmouth provincial court on charges of attempted murder, sexual assault, robbery, unlawful confinement and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Judge Alanna Murphy tentatively scheduled the trial to begin Oct. 8.

To help maintain Robicheau's mental fitness, the judge remanded him back to the East Coast Forensic Hospital in Dartmouth, where he has been receiving psychiatric treatment for the past 15 months.

The main issue at trial is expected to be Robicheau's mental condition at the time of the attack, Crown attorney Perry Borden said outside court. The prosecution plans to call three doctors to testify, he said, and the defence will want the court to hear from its expert.

A videotaped statement that Robicheau gave police after his arrest will also be shown in court, lawyers said.

Asked if he was frustrated with the progress of the case, Borden said he didn't want to use that word.

“It's certainly longer than I'm accustomed to,” the prosecutor said, “but it's a case that requires extra time, extra reports, extra doctors. It would be nice for everybody if there was some closure put to this issue, but until then we have to keep trucking on.”

In the meantime, Borden said, Robicheau will remain in custody. “The victim is safe, the public is still safe,” he said.

The victim of the attack attended Monday's hearing with her husband but didn't want to talk to reporters afterward.

Lawyers will return to court March 30 to confirm the trial dates with the judge.