Winnipeg hospital attack survivor says she is 'forever changed' at hearing for man who killed parents

Family of Candyce Szkwarek wept as she told Winnipeg court she no longer feels safe, detailing the devastation of no longer being able to do her job and how she was "forever changed" by the stabbing attack she suffered at the hands of Trevor Farley two years ago — on the same day Farley fatally stabbed his parents.

"I no longer feel safe anywhere," Szkwarek said Tuesday in Manitoba Court of King's Bench, where Farley, 39, was found not criminally responsible for the crimes he committed on Oct. 27, 2021.

"This is debilitating and exhausting."

Justice Ken Champagne found Farley not criminally responsible due to a mental disorder for killing his parents before driving to Seven Oaks Hospital, where he previously worked, and turning a knife on Szkwarek, his former supervisor.

Farley was charged with first-degree murder in the death of his father, Stuart Farley, and second-degree murder in the death of his mother, Judy Swain.

He was also charged with attempted murder after stabbing Szkwarek about 20 times at Seven Oaks Hospital. 

At a hearing Monday, Crown attorneys and Farley's defence team jointly recommended he be found not criminally responsible.

A report from a team of psychiatric and psychological experts suggested Farley was suffering from an atypical form of bipolar disorder when he committed the attacks, featuring manic episodes and depressive episodes with anxious distress and psychotic features.

They said he was experiencing "religious-based" delusions and thought he was a prophet sent by God to "cut the contamination" from the souls of his parents and Szkwarek in order to save them. 

The team also relied on reports documenting similar symptoms by health-care workers at various points in the days leading up to the attack, when Farley sought mental health treatment at St. Boniface Hospital, the Health Sciences Centre and the Mental Health Crisis Response Centre.

On Tuesday, Crown attorney Shannon Benevides requested Justice Champagne designate Farley a "high-risk accused."

The rare designation has never been sought in Manitoba in a case of someone being found not criminally responsible, Benevides said. If granted, the decision would ultimately be sent to a review board.

A high-risk designation carries mandatory detention in a hospital setting, which can only be revoked by a superior court justice. If the designation is made, Farley would only be allowed to leave the hospital facility under supervision for appointments.

Szkwarek's daughter, one of four people who gave victim impact statements Tuesday, implored Champagne to do whatever he could to ensure her mother can enjoy as many years as possible in peace.