Alberta man who shot at RCMP released after being found not criminally responsible

An Alberta man who shot at RCMP officers six years ago has been found not criminally responsible (NCR) for his actions and has been released into the community to live with his mother.

Christopher Morrill was charged withfirearms offences, uttering death threats, criminal flight from a police officer and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

The judge's decision was "bittersweet" said Morrill's lawyer Adriano Iovinelli who said his client continues to live with a form of schizophrenia.

"He has been taking medication and going for treatment over the last five and a half years so that's not going to change," said Iovinelli.

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RCMP were called to an area near Didsbury in August, 2010, after Morrill threatened someone with a rifle.

When the officers arrived Morrill fled in a pickup truck, ramming two police vehicles before getting stuck in a nearby creek bed.

Morrill shot at the officers from the truck prompting RCMP set up a perimeter. The standoff lasted six hours beforeMorrill was arrested.

No one was seriously hurtbut an RCMP officer suffered minor injuries when his vehicle was rammed.

"They are very rare cases," said Iovinelli of the NCR finding,noting in his 21 years of practising law, this was the only time the prosecution contested the defence.

ProsecutorRoy Smithhad opposed the NCR defence, arguing Morrill was in a self-induced psychosis brought on by alcohol consumption.

Morrill must abide by conditions that he take his medication, attend medical appointments and live with his mother who is in a small community northwest of Red Deer, Alta.

He must also go before the Alberta review board within 90 days. The board could make further recommendations.