Jury trial cancelled after accused in Alberta doctor killing dies in custody

An impromptu memorial for Dr. Walter Reynolds, who died after he was attacked in an examination room rests outside the Village Mall walk-in clinic in Red Deer, Alta., on August 11, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

RED DEER -

A Crown prosecutor has withdrawn all charges against a man who died weeks before his trial in the killing of a doctor at a central Alberta medical clinic.

Bina Border says she can't confirm the cause of Deng Mabiour's death in Calgary this week.

Border told court Thursday that the medical examiner's office is investigating.

Mabiour, who was 52, was charged with first-degree murder in the Aug. 10, 2020, death of Dr. Walter Reynolds at the Village Mall Walk-In Clinic in Red Deer.

He was also charged with assault of a peace officer and assault with a weapon, and the jury trial was to begin Nov. 22.

Court of Queen's Bench Justice Paul Belzil has cancelled hundreds of jury summons that had been issued for the trial.

The judge says the case was extremely challenging to prosecute as Mabiour had insisted on representing himself.

Mabiour had previously undergone two assessments after exhibiting erratic behaviour but was found mentally fit to stand trial.

At an appearance in March, court heard that he had an appointment at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary for a serious medical condition.

Red Deer lawyer Jason Snider, who was appointed as a friend of the court to help Mabiour in his case, confirmed Tuesday that Mabiour died at Calgary's Foothills hospital.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 4, 2021.