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Greyhound suspect on suicide watch
James Turner, Winnipeg Free Press and Canwest News Service
Published: Sunday, August 03, 2008

WINNIPEG - Vince Li, the 40-year-old Edmonton man charged with second-degree murder in the repeated stabbing and beheading of 22-year-old Winnipegger Tim McLean aboard a Greyhound bus Wednesday, is on suicide watch at the Winnipeg Remand Centre.

Sources said Sunday that Li is being housed in a segregated unit on the 8th floor of the downtown building and is clothed in a special suicide suit.

As of Sunday afternoon, Li still has not spoken a word, and has not seen a doctor. He has nodded 'yes' or 'no' to some questions asked of him, sources said.

When asked if he was suicidal, Li is said to have nodded 'yes.'

Sources said Li is to be watched by a minimum of five correctional officers if he needs to be transported from his cell. He is also to have his handcuffs and shackles thoroughly checked, as it's believed he's a flight risk.

Li is due to appear in court Tuesday, at which time a judge is expected to rule on the Crown's request to order him to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

Li has refused to speak with a lawyer. He didn't utter a word during Friday's short court hearing, and did not make eye contact with anyone.

In an exclusive interview with the Free Press Saturday, a family friend said she felt Li was troubled, but had refused repeated offers to see a doctor and get help.

The family friend, who works in the mental-health field, said it was obvious Li was struggling.

"He needed help, but he just wouldn't get it," she said.

Li worked for six months as a custodian at the Grant Memorial Baptist Church in Winnipeg and was a member of the congregation.

Pastor Tom Castor said Li, a recent immigrant at the time, seemed happy to have a job and was committed to doing it well.

Castor said Li was quiet, and did not show any sign of anger issues or any other trouble before he quit in the spring of 2005. After this, he's believed to have taken a job as a forklift operator for Midland Foods in Winnipeg while his wife, Anna Li, worked as a waitress.

Castor's congregation is offering support to her -_the pastor says she is in shock and is afraid for her future.

The church and its staff are also offering condolences to the family of Tim McLean, the young man Li is accused of beheading in what witnesses called an unprovoked attack with a hunting knife at about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday about 20 kilometres east of Portage la Prairie.


© Winnipeg Free Press 2008