Man charged with condition breach by entering liquor store deemed fit for trial

HALIFAX – A Nova Scotia man who is charged with breaching a condition that forbids him from entering liquor stores has been deemed fit to stand trial.

Michael Gerard Cooper was arrested in Halifax in January a week following his release from prison after serving a seven-year sentence for impaired driving causing death.

Cooper’s release was based on several conditions, including a two-year order to abstain from buying, possessing or drinking alcohol.

A report was submitted to provincial court from the East Coast Forensic Hospital saying Cooper is fit to stand trial and not exempt from criminal responsibility due to mental illness.

But the report also says Cooper has significant brain damage as a result of a traumatic brain injury, making it difficult for him to adapt to independent community living.

The report says Cooper has multiple mental health needs and therefore it recommends his case be transferred to Nova Scotia’s mental health court.

The Crown and defence agreed with the findings of the report but the judge says she needs time to consider its recommendation.