Agassiz, B.C.: A British Columbia court has ruled that a woman who told a court-appointed psychiatrist that Jesus Christ would be her lawyer is fit to stand trial, rejecting the Crown’s argument that her religious beliefs made her incapable of participating in legal proceedings.
Denise Angela Norris faces a charge of reckless discharge of a firearm in connection with an incident in Agassiz, B.C., last June, during which she allegedly fired a weapon in an interaction with police. The Crown sought a ruling that Norris was unfit to stand trial, citing psychosis accompanied by religious delusions and arguing that she did not recognize the authority of the court.
According to a recently released judgment by Provincial Court Judge Kristen Mundstock, prosecutors contended that Norris believed only God had authority over her and that, as a result, she would not meaningfully engage in her defence. The application relied heavily on multiple reports prepared by a forensic psychiatrist, which detailed Norris’s belief that Jesus Christ would represent her in court and communicate legal instructions to her through prayer and visions.
The psychiatrist’s assessments also noted that Norris distinguished between what she described as “man-made” laws enforced by the courts and what she viewed as God’s ultimate jurisdiction. Despite these beliefs, the judge found that Norris understood the nature of the proceedings, the seriousness of the charge, and the possible consequences of a conviction.
In her ruling, Judge Mundstock concluded that Norris was aware that a trial could result in punishment affecting her physical freedom, even if she believed such punishment had no bearing on her eternal existence. The judge held that rejecting the authority of the legal system did not, by itself, make Norris incapable of communicating with counsel or the court.
Addressing Norris’s statements about Jesus acting as her lawyer, the court found ambiguity in whether she intended to represent herself with spiritual guidance or believed that Jesus would physically appear in court. The judge ruled that this belief, while unusual, did not render Norris unable to participate in her defence.
The court acknowledged that Norris’s belief system could affect her decision-making but emphasized that the legal standard for fitness does not require an accused person to make good or rational choices. The judgment noted that an accused is entitled to make poor decisions, provided they can understand the process and communicate with counsel.
The ruling does not provide detailed facts of the alleged offence beyond its date and location, though it aligns with a police-involved shooting incident currently under investigation by British Columbia’s police watchdog. Norris remains in custody, and a trial date has yet to be scheduled. She is expected to appear in court on January 12, 2026, for a bail hearing, and has not decided whether she will be tried by a judge alone or by jury.
