TIMMINS - A man accused of murder and attempted murder in the Timmins area has been deemed fit to stand trial and will represent himself.
Lucas MacDonald appeared in court virtually from Monteith Correctional Complex today (Dec. 24) at roughly 9:30 a.m. He was subdued and co-operative, identifying himself as “Luke” when asked.
The 43-year-old who was the subject of a weeks-long manhunt, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Marcel Thoma and attempted murder with a firearm in the shooting of an OPP officer during his arrest three weeks later.
After a virtual fitness assessment was unsuccessful, an in-person one was held, and MacDonald was found fit to stand trial, according to a report received by the court on Dec. 23. A fitness assessment is carried out by mental health professionals to make sure a person is capable of defending themselves against the charges and communicating with their lawyer about the case.
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Justice Michel Robert LaBelle told MacDonald today that an amicus should be appointed to help him represent himself due to the severity of the charges. Details of that appointment will be discussed at MacDonald’s next appearance to give the judge time to research related case law.
An amicus, or ‘friend of the court,’ is a lawyer who can advise the court or a self-represented individual during a case. An amicus does not represent the person they advise and can not act as their lawyer.
Thoma was reported missing on May 18, 2024, and his body was found in the woods in Egan Township, southwest of Matheson, on May 23.
A weeks-long manhunt stretching from Matheson to Timmins's far east end led police to MacDonald. During his arrest on June 12, 2024, he allegedly shot at OPP officers on Night Hawk Lake. One officer was shot in the exchange of gunfire.
The Ontario Special Investigations Unit (SUI) report cleared officers of any wrongdoing in the incident.
MacDonald appears in court next on Jan. 3, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. for the court to hear submissions regarding his self-representation and to set a date for a preliminary hearing.
None of the charges have been tested in court and the accused is considered innocent unless proven guilty.
