Controversial Acquittal in BC Sexual Assault Case Sparks Outrage

Surrey, British Columbia - A recent court decision in Surrey has sparked outrage and concern among women's support services after a man accused of sexual assault in 2019 was acquitted. Leon-Jamal Barrett, who faced charges including sexual assault and obstructing a peace officer, was found not criminally responsible by Judge Hinkson. The defense accepted by the court was 'automatism,' meaning actions performed without conscious thought or intention, due to Barrett being under the influence of magic mushrooms and cannabis. According to court documents, Barrett described a complex hallucination where he believed God commanded him to find a woman chosen by God to save humanity through a 'sexual congress.' When the woman did not come to his house, he left to find one, leading to the assault. The victim testified that Barrett pushed her down and assaulted her, eventually attracting neighbors' attention who called the police. This ruling has been met with strong criticism. Battered Women's Support Services (BWSS) expressed deep concern, stating, 'This ruling is devastating. It tells survivors that their pain is real, but their pursuit of justice may be futile.' While the Supreme Court of Canada in 2022 struck down Section 33.1 of the Criminal Code, which previously barred extreme intoxication as a defense in sexual assault cases, Parliament later amended this decision, and it reportedly did not apply in Barrett's specific case.