Crown experts say Laval bus driver accused in daycare deaths not criminally responsible

Pierre Ny St-Amand was arrested on Feb. 8, 2023 after a Laval city bus plowed into the Éducative Ste-Rose Daycare, killing two children and injuring six others.

Quebec prosecution medical experts have concluded that the bus driver accused of killing two children and injuring six others should not be held criminally responsible.

The defence will join the crown in presenting facts of the case along with the report in April to a Superior Court Judge when Pierre Ny St-Amand’s trial proceeds.

The 53-year-old faces two second-degree murder charges and seven other counts, including attempted murder and aggravated assault.

He was arrested on Feb. 8, 2023 after a Laval city bus plowed into the Éducative Ste-Rose Daycare.

On Friday Prosecutor Karine Dalphond said that two psychiatrists have examined Ny St-Amand, and both reached the conclusion that he should be found not criminally responsible. They will both testify in April.

There were publication bans in place to protect the identity of the young victims and to not reveal any evidence that was presented at the preliminary inquiry.

Some families asked on Friday to withdraw the identity ban of the two deceased children and another victim. That request was granted.

The trial will proceed in front of the judge only and not a jury and the judge will determine whether Ny St-Amand is criminally responsible.

The crown has hired an expert to determine whether Ny St-Amand is a “high risk offender.” If he’s a high-risk offender, anything in his file needs to be determined before the courts.

He has been detained at the Philippe-Pinel Psychiatric Institute in Montreal.

With files from CTV News journalist Matt Gilmour and The Canadian Press