A Chilliwack man who stabbed his wife to death in 2024 was deemed not criminally responsible for her death due to a mental disorder.
Joseph Berkiw, 70, was under "delusional" beliefs and feelings of persecution that led to a fatal knife attack on his wife, who cannot be named, according to the Aug. 5 ruling by B.C. Supreme Court. Justice Richard Fowler.
In the years leading up to the Jan. 17 incident in 2024, Berkiw worked full-time as a machinist, where he worked 12-hour shifts, three days a week, and frequently worked overtime.
In December of 2023, Joseph became increasingly concerned over finances, and kicked off a series of strange incidents, paranoia and mental health crises.
On the day of the attack, he was acting out of character, according to the court documents.
At about 1 p.m. he grabbed a knife and attacked his wife repeatedly slashing her neck and hands. He managed to get free from family who were trying to restrain him but he retrieved another larger, sharper knife from inside the kitchen.
Again he stabbed the victim and she died of her injuries.
The call to 911 formed part of the evidence and witnesses heard Berkiw say: "I killed her."
Police found the man, with his family members entwined under the dining room table in a pool of blood.
Berkiw did not speak at all while police were separating him from his wife and son, and nor did he speak during the arrest.
"Police described Joseph as being catatonic. He seemed not to be paying attention. He appeared absent," the court document said.
The judge ultimately ruled him exempt from criminal responsibility:
"The evidence overwhelmingly supports the conclusion that, at the time of the offence, the accused was suffering from a mental disorder, that being a psychosis that included persecutory and delusional beliefs.
"This mental disorder rendered Mr. Berkiw incapable of knowing that his actions were morally wrong.
"Pursuant to s. 672.34 of the Criminal Code, I find that Mr. Berkiw committed the act that is the basis of the offence of murder charged but, at the time he was suffering from a mental disorder so as to be exempt from criminal responsibility by virtue of s. 16(1)."
