The man accused of taking nine people hostage in Edmonton last Oct. will be tried by judge and jury.
The decision came after an unusual court appearance by Patrick Clayton Monday.
Clayton told the court he had fired his lawyer and wanted a judge to personally investigate his case with the Workers' Compensation Board.
The judge determined Clayton will enter a not guilty plea.
Back in early Jan. a judge denied the man bail. There were a number of reasons the judge denied bail for the man. Clayton has no family ties in Alberta, no support system and no place to live. The judge also found that Clayton could pose a risk to the public or at the very least, have people question how an accused hostage-taker could be back on the streets.
The man faces numerous charges of unlawful confinement and pointing a firearm. Prior to that court appearance, he was found mentally fit to stand trial for the fall incident that ended peacefully after a ten-hour tense standoff with police at the Workers' Compensation Board building.
Police had said after hours of negotiation throughout the course of the day, the hostages were released one by one.
No one was injured in the incident.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 26th.
