Posted on 03/29/2006 6:54:21 AM PST by Mikey_1962
One of the most notorious drunk drivers in the Ottawa area has been found not criminally responsible on his latest impaired driving charges because of a mental disorder that makes him believe female celebrities are controlling his actions.
Matt Brownlee was arrested last October after police spotted a pickup truck speeding along a busy street in downtown Ottawa.
Matt Brownlee believed singer Shania Twain was helping him drive. (AP file photo) The 33-year-old man told psychiatrists that he knew the legal repercussions of his actions, but believed singer Shania Twain was helping him drive.
Brownlee pleaded not guilty to four charges, including impaired operation of a motor vehicle and driving while disqualified.
On Monday, the judge drew on several psychiatric assessments in ruling that Brownlee was not criminally responsible for his actions because he suffers from delusions that celebrities such as Twain are communicating with him telepathically.
Ten years ago, Brownlee was given a seven-year prison sentence and barred from driving for the rest of his life after he killed an Ottawa woman, Linda Lebreton-Holmes, and her 12-year-old son while driving with a blood alcohol level three times the legal limit.
Earlier in March, a psychiatrist told the court that Brownlee suffers from psychosis and mood disorders resulting from a brain injury caused by the 1996 car crash.
(Excerpt) Read more at cbc.ca ...
This post sounds like a very good excuse to post the lovely singers picture....
CCFCP: Coo-coo for Cocoa Puffs.
There is nothing I can do that Shania Twain is not a good excuse for...
I'm sure that family is fine with this. NOT!
Everytime I see Shania Twain I feel she is somehow controlling me too.
I would have been sufficiently intoxicated by the presence of Mrs. Lang in my truck.
Is the Shania Twain Defense anything like the Chewbacca Defense?
Exactly, she should be charged.
Pretty sickening excuse, given that this guy was a drunk driver in Ottawa and Shania Twain lost both her parents in a drunk driving incident in nearby Timmins, Ontario.
Put the guy back in prison so he won't kill anyone else. This is a fine example of a puddin' headed judge.
She is equally blessed with an outstanding voice.
I know it's a reach but I'm trying to think of something friend.......:o)
About the only damn good thing to ever come out of Canada.
Ten years ago, Brownlee was given a seven-year prison sentence and barred from driving for the rest of his life after he killed an Ottawa woman, Linda Lebreton-Holmes, and her 12-year-old son while driving with a blood alcohol level three times the legal limit.
And his likely future:
Another assessment of how much risk he poses to the community (!!!) could see Brownlee being detained in hospital, released under supervision in the community, or given an absolute discharge.
This guy isn't the only one who's nuts, and I expect we we'll be reading about him again some day.
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