Fray

WESTERN BUREAU:

Stephen Fray doesn't remember what happened during the attempted hijacking of the CanJet Charter 918 on Sunday, April 19, but he recalls "hearing voices" in his head.

At least, that was what the 22-year-old man facing 10 counts of gun-related charges reportedly told prosecutor Jeremy Taylor while answering questions posed to him in the Western Regional Gun Court yesterday.

Fray was grilled for approximately five hours; meaning character witnesses, including his family and a best friend, who were to have taken the stand yesterday, will have to hope today goes more quickly.

Fray's explanation comes months after he underwent several sessions to alleviate a psychotic disorder. He was treated and assessed by government psychiatrist Dr Kevin Golbourne, who said he was fit to plead.

Suffering from delusions

Fray's attorney, George Thomas, said in court then that Dr Golbourne's report stated that, "The alleged offences were influenced by delusions involving persons after him (Fray), a bug watching him, chip motivating him or programming him to take up the gun, and persons helped him on to the plane."

Dr Golbourne's testament further stated that these delusions had not changed significantly in spite of treatment, and may or may not subside with time and treatment.

His conclusion was reinforced by one of the country's most respected psychiatrists, Dr Wendel Abel, who was hired by Fray's defence team.

In his summary, Dr Abel said that clinical findings are consistent with the diagnosis of schizophrenia, the paranoid type, evidenced by the presence of psychotic symptoms such as auditory hallucinations, delusions of persecution and loosening association.

"These symptoms began about November 2008 and have been associated with a noticeable decline in his functioning," said Dr Abel's report.

On Monday when the pilot of the aircraft took the stand, he too reportedly said that Fray declared himself as God while he held the passengers captive, and the Canadian security guard who also made an appearance said Fray told him they both needed to get some drugs.

Lawyers representing the 22-year-old had hoped to wrap up the Gun Court case tomorrow, but yesterday's session makes that seem unlikely.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com